Author: Abdur Rahman al-Nadwi Dar Al-Qalam Edition 13 1402 / 1982 Age of the book: 45 years Used 324 pages Islam is a creed of exaltation, one of its most distinctive characteristics is that it instills in the spirit of its believer a sense of dignity without arrogance, a spirit of confidence without self-deception, and a feeling of reassurance without negligence. It makes Muslims aware of the human responsibility placed on their shoulders, the duty of leadership on this earth for the misguided masses, guiding them to the righteous religion and the correct path, and bringing them out of darkness into light with the guidance and clarification that Allah has provided them. This book in the reader's hands evokes all these meanings within them and breathes into their spirit all these qualities, but it does not rely on mere emotional consultation or religious fanaticism. Instead, it adopts objective facts as its basis, presenting them to vision, feeling, reason, and conscience alike. It presents historical events and current circumstances in a fair and enlightened manner, and settles the issues it presents fully based on truth, reality, logic, and conscience, all appearing to be in harmony in support of it and its cause, without any forced or strained premise or conclusion—which is a distinctive feature of the book. It begins by sketching a brief but clear picture of this world before the light of Islam shines upon it. It depicts the state of the world in the East and West, North and South, and how the spirit of ignorance prevails over it, dominating it with oppression and servitude, enveloped in disbelief, error, and darkness. Once the author completes the depiction of the world in this state of ignorance, he begins to present the role of Islam in human life and its contribution to freeing human society from oppression and tyranny, from disintegration and collapse, from class distinctions and the despotism of rulers and the deceptions of priests. It showcases its role in building the world on foundations of jurisprudence, cleanliness, positivity, construction, justice, and dignity, through continuous efforts to develop and elevate life and to give everyone their due rights in life. All this is depicted during the period when leadership belonged to Islam in any place where Islam was active. Then comes the period when Islam lost control due to the decline of Muslims and their abandonment of the leadership imposed on them by this religion, the guardianship that it entrusts to them over humanity, and the responsibilities it places upon them in every direction.