A Prognosis

The fact is that Islam's political power has been undermined by European superiority. There are no signs of change in this regard. However, Islam fully maintains its spiritual power and resists all attempts at change at this front. To the contrary, it gained consciously in its dynamic energy and, thanks to the movement of Pan-Islam, even enjoys gradual expansion. Due to its method of peaceful penetration, Islam is left undisturbed to itself, precisely because it is realized that internally it is unconquerable. A declaration of holy war or jihad could cause a simultaneous bloodbath in different places, but it would not be able to return world sovereignty to Islam. But even if Islam for the time being has no chance for world dominion, it will never let go of this ideal. The earthly character of this ideal has put its stamp on all its adherents [48] that can never rise above its contradiction with our culture that is marked by a heavenly ideal. This core contradiction also blocks any attempt at fusing the two into a higher unity. Islam will either remain as it is or it will cease to exist. That it has been able to maintain itself with such tenacity for over thirteen centuries in spite of unfavourable times, is a testimony to its inner dynamic that still moves it. The Crescent is far from its demise. As long as it retains its successful rule over the hearts of its mass of 245 million people, it will be a bad mistake for anyone to dismiss Islam as a negligible factor. As in the past, Islam retains its strong position of power, especially in Africa, but even Europe cannot afford to ignore it. Do not forget the following remarkable contrast. The millions of Christians who came under the rule of the Sultan during the seventh and eighth centuries, have almost all converted to Islam. To the contrary, Muslims who currently are ruled by Christian powers have fully persevered in their faith. [49]

(December 24, 1907)
[48] Italics by translator.
[49] Italics by translator.

[16] I use the translation of the Qur'an by Abdullah Yusuf Ali, p. 495.

[17] See J. Boer, 2005, pp. 61-76, for a fuller discussion of Muslim wholism.

[18] Kuyper knew the terminology he is using here, but I am not sure he understood the relations between them accurately. I have not tried to upgrade him here, except that I have inserted in the text brief explanations of these Arabic terms so important to Islam.

[19] I am not sure Islam allows this terminology. It is Kuyper's.

[20]

[21] This is a strong statement that I am not sure can stand scrutiny.

[22] Remember that Kuyper is comparing the two religions a century ago. Since then, Christendom has disappeared, secularism has taken over with its very loose moral standards that have even affected Christians in the 21st century. Had he written this comparison today, he undoubtedly would have been more nuanced. Comparing and contrasting today's Christian moral standards with those of Islam is tricky. Both will win some and loose others.

[23] Kuyperian thought emphasizes creation ordinances, including moral ordinances, that are out there and can be discovered in rough outline through experience, but for which fallen man needs the Bible to understand them in their full depth.