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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Philosophy Of Islam Islamic Conception of History To get acquainted with the Islamic conception of the historical changes and the factors making history, it is necessary to take the following few points into consideration: The Qur'an pays attention to the usual course of history We have already learnt that the changes in the natural phenomena are governed ‑by definite laws and are brought about by certain causes and factors.

In short, we can say that nature has definite ways, and that Islam lays ample stress on their existence. According to Islamic view, in society also there exist specific laws, which constitute the patterns on the basis of which social changes take place. The rise and fall of nations, their strength and weakness, the coming to power of any particular groups, the soundness or unsound­ness of a society, are all subject to the laws which govern a society and its relations with other societies.

Thus the historical events are not accidental, having no basis. They are not subject to a whimsical fate. Everything in society as well as in nature is subject to a law. The social laws and patterns do not come into being. automatically or as a result of any inner compulsion. As a matter of fact, they are all a part of the creative design and `divine ways'. Here are a few examples of the ways to which the Qur'an has referred. (Let us see what role the will of man plays in this field).

"We destroyed many generations before you when they did wrong ". (for their social relations were based on an unjust system). (Surah Yunus, 10:13). "If the people of these towns bad believed and practiced piety, We would have showered on them the blessings of the heaven and the earth ". (Surah al‑A'raf, 7:96).

In Surah al‑Fatir, verse 43 and onward the Qur'an speaks of those who, because of their selfishness and arrogance oppose the mission of the prophets and the efforts of those who advocate truth. Such people employ all sorts of unlawful means to expand their power and to gain their selfish ends. Thereafter the Qur'an says: "The evil designing recoils only on those who do it. Then can they expect anything other than the punishment meted out to the earlier people?

You will not find a change in Allah's ways, nor will you find Allah's ways to change. Have they not travelled across the land and seen the fate of those who were before them, though they were far mightier in power than themselves?" (Surah, al‑Fatir, 35:43 ‑44).