Abstract
Before the advent of Islam, the world was scientifically and rationally in darkness. Humanity was following polytheism and superstitions. Phenomena of nature were worshipped as gods. Ancient and established objects were considered a gift of gods. Novelty and acceptance of any different belief than those of their forefathers was considered taboo. That resulted in stagnation in the scientific and cultural development. The system was set to provide authority to some humans over the others. The process of teaching and learning, the matters of state and politics, the handling of commerce and business were deemed for some particular elite and upper-class people; whereas begging, slavery and humiliation were declared the fate of poor and weaker members of the society. The concept of human equality was far from existence. There was a ban on religious and intellectual speech. The world was far away from civilization and humanity. In the seventh century, Islam came and it drastically changed the human thought, reflection and beliefs from its very outset. Islam taught the human that what his real position in the universe is and what is the position of the universe in relation to him. Why is this universe created and what relation a human should keep with it? Who is the creator of man as well as this universe? What are His attributes and what does He demand from the man? These were some of the answers that Islam provided to mankind and brought to end its long-standing quest for their answers. When we look at the history of human being, we know that these Islamic beliefs have left their significant and profound impact on human thinking, the process of character and human civilization. Whatever academic, scientific, social and developmental progress of world civilization is seen today, it is, directly or indirectly, an outcome of Islam and its golden civilization. The above aspects are discussed in this article. We have elaborated how Islam has revolutionized the thinking of the man and what role its belief system plays in the evolution of human civilization.