The Eighth Premise
The Eighth Premise
Introduction
Do not be wearied by the lengthy introduction that follows, for its conclusion is extremely important. Moreover, it will eliminate despair, which annihilates every moral quality, and will revive hope, the leaven of all happiness. It gives the good news that while the past belongs to others, the future shall be ours. We are happy at this apportionment. Its subject is this: weighing up the people of the past and those of the future. Indeed, the alphabet is not taught in high schools. Even if the knowledge is essentially the same, the way it is taught differs. Yes, the school of the emotions (mekteb-i hissiyat) called the past is not the same as the school of ideas (medrese-i efkâr) called the future.
Firstly, what I mean by the people of the past are the non-Muslims of the Middle Ages from before the tenth century (AD sixteenth century), and in ancient times. As for the Muslim peoples (millet-i Islam), for the first three hundred years they were eminent and superior, and in five hundred years reached full development. I call the period from the fifth to the twelfth centuries the past, and the subsequent centuries I call the future. Now, it is well-known that it is either the reason or the eye that governs in human beings. Or to put it another way, it is either thought or emotions; or truth or force; or wisdom or imperatives; or either the inclinations of the heart or the leanings of the intellect; or either whims or guidance. In consequence, we see that with the people of the past their mostly uncorrupted morals and unmixed emotions predominated and their unenlightened minds caused personalities and conflicts to gain the upperhand. But since the somewhat enlightened minds of the people of the future have conquered their emotions, which are clouded by lust and appetites, and have subjugated them to its command, it is certain that the rights of people generally shall rule. Humanity has become manifest to a degree, giving the glad tidings that in the cloudless skies of the future Islam, which is supreme humanity, will shine over the lands of Asia like the sun.