The flesh...

The flesh, sinews and blood of the events are the manifestations of their reflections in the general mentality of the umma and the reactions which the occurrence of the revolution produced in the lives of different groups, and then the reactions which the revolution produced after it had occurred. From this standpoint, the revolution - whether a failure or a success - will be an influential and active element in its human environment.

From this standpoint, it will take its place in the living history of the umma , the history which has affected it and which is affected by it, the history which will endure in time, in place and in man and whose effect does not end with the end of its time, or with the change of its place, or with the death of its hero. From this point of view, the revolution affects the umma and is affected by it.

It affects the umma insofar as it offers to it-both leaders and followers-examples on whose pattern the umma may work out its positions to face the situations and attitudes which it will be exposed to in its journey to the future.

The revolution is affected by the umma insofar as the picture of the events in the general mentality of the umma is influenced by its psychological attitudes towards the misfortunes which may befall it, the victories which it may achieve, and the difficulties which it may face and from which it may suffer.

The events may change their composition in order to accord with the existing situation; the composition of the events may remain as they were but explanations for the events may be given which accord with the actual attitude in which men are now living. In these circumstances, they carry out what is termed the operation of 'ommission'. At this point it seems clear that history, in this respect, is something living which moves in the minds and emotions of the umma .

It is not an inheritance by which a theoretical relationship connects it. The relationship which unites the umma and its history is, in this respect, a living relationship which reflects the interaction between the umma and history in a continuous movement of give and take. In this way, history may be a spur to go forward into the future and a light which guides the umma in its advance towards the attainment of its aspirations.

It may be a mirror of the spirit of the present time, through which the umma is living now, and a justification for the situation to which it is shackled.