STUDIES IN ISLAMIC POLITICAL THOUGHT: A BRIEF INTRODUCTION ON THE MISSION OF MAN EARTH

The main business of history according to the Muslim worldview is to bring all mankind to Islam. That mission, that business, has not, after 1400 years of the coming of age of humanity, been completed. Suffice it to say however, that it will not be considered as late if we take into consideration the length of time between Prophet Adam and Muhammad and the number of prophets that followed in between them. This paper attempts to trace the origin of man and the very purpose of his creation as expounded in the Qur'an and Sunnah of the Prophet. It also traces human history vis-a-vis Allah's promise in the Qur'an, chapter 2 verse 38 in which Allah promised to keep sending guidance to humanity right from its inception to the end of time - a phenomena that enjoys wealth of references in many parts of the Qur'an. Authentic Islamic sources opined that there were 124,000 prophets sent to mankind from Adam to Muhammad. Each was sent to his community and at different period in history with the exception of Muhammad (S.A.W.) who was sent, as a seal of the prophets, to all mankind. Sometimes the career of one prophet may terminate before the appearance of another.At times a particular prophet may finish his career and survive to witness the coming of another prophet as it occurred between Ibrahim and Lot or between Musa and Shu'aib. These prophets, many as they may appear to be, were sent principally, with messages from Allah, as He promised, according to the Glorious Qur'an, in order to guide mankind to Sirat al-Mustaqim - The Right path.