Badges mark quoted or attributed material (Qur'an, hadith, another author, an opposing view). Unbadged passages are Maulana Wahiduddin Khan's own words.
ANOTHER POTENTIAL p. 79
Japan’s potential was realized by a nation that persevered through all adversities and was willing to struggle for forty years. Similarly, to bring Islam’s far greater potential to reality, a living, dynamic nation is needed. However, such a nation does not exist today. As a result, Islam’s potential for progress has not yet become a reality in the world. p. 79
A book about modern Japan has been published, titled The Japan That Can Say No. The authors are two prominent Japanese figures: Shintaro Ishihara, who has twice served as a minister in Japan, and Akio Morita, the globally renowned chairman of Sony Corporation. p. 79
This book has many insightful points. At one point, the authors write that no matter how much America increases its military power, it has reached a limit where it can no longer act against us because America itself now depends on us. If Japan were to tell the U.S. that it would stop selling its chips, the American computer industry would be affected. In fact, America cannot even manufacture its advanced stealth bomber without Japanese technology. In detailing such scenarios, they write, “If one doesn’t use Japanese semiconductors, one cannot guarantee precision.” p. 79original + quote
This is the way of life in this world. In this world, one gains a place by making oneself indispensable to others and by proving one’s usefulness to the point where others recognize it as a necessity. No one can be their enemy, so no one can overlook someone or a group that they deem essential. p. 80
Japan has proven its importance in material and economic terms. This same importance exists on a larger scale in favour of Islam. Just as Japan’s usefulness has made it impossible for the U.S. (or other countries) to ignore, if people were to understand the profound spiritual and humanitarian benefits Islam offers, it would be equally impossible for them to ignore it. p. 80
This second scenario holds a monopoly-like exclusivity for Islam. The path to true faith and genuine human welfare does not exist in any other religious or secular system aside from Islam. p. 80
Today, in its silent language, Islam speaks to the world: If you do not make room in your heart for the remembrance of God, you will find no peace for the mind and soul. If you do not accept the belief in the Oneness of God, you cannot explain the universe in any comprehensible way. If you do not adopt Islam, you will not find any religion elsewhere that stands as an indisputable historical reality. p. 80
Japan’s potential was realized by a nation that persevered through all adversities and was willing to struggle for forty years. Similarly, to bring Islam’s far greater potential to reality, a living, dynamic nation is needed. However, such a nation does not exist today. As a result, Islam’s potential for progress has not yet become a reality in the world. p. 79