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Spirit of Islam Issue 35 November 2015
Research has shown
that the human brain
during the Stone Age
civilization was no
different from the
human brain today.
Let us reflect briefly, on the different periods of civilization. There was
a time when man could only use what was present on the earth in
its original form. Of all these materials, stone was the most readily
available and the most useful. Although other materials existed on
earth, stone took pride of place as it was the most widely used, and
so this phase came to be called the Stone Age. Early Stone Age Homo
Sapiens possessed the same natural qualities as we do today. Research
shows that the human brain during the Stone Age civilization was no
different from the human brain today. It was only a lack of knowledge
that withheld man from utilising all his hidden potentials.
Then came the Agricultural Age, when man discovered more and more
ways to harness nature. This age saw the development of irrigation,
ploughing, the rearing and breeding of
animals, the use of iron and carts with wheels.
In this way, it was possible to lead a better life
as compared to that in the previous age.
The Industrial Age began when man went
beyond the use of animal power and invented
mechanical power. He converted water into
steampower and developed the steamengine.
There was a further leap forward when oil was
discovered as fuel and used for propulsion.
Modern methods of communication were
developed, which converted the whole world into a global village.
By using mechanical power, man engaged in new enterprises such as
mechanised transportation, rapid communication of news, and the
building of cities along modern lines. In this way, there emerged a whole
new world, both beautiful and meaningful, with a fresh viewpoint on
co-operation and education. It was called the Industrial Civilization.
The fourth phase of civilization is what Alvin Toffler calls the Super-
Industrial Age. The most exceptional aspect of this age would be
complete automation, that is, the use of electronics and control
systems will be on such a large scale that most jobs will be performed
with minimal human intervention. In this age, a man would, ideally, be
able to single-handedly fulfil all his personal requirements.
The advent of automation is an advance intimation of the joys of
Paradise. Of Paradise, the Quran says:
There you shall find all that your souls desire and all that you can
ask for: a rich provision from a Benevolent and Merciful God.
(THE QURAN 41: 31)