Now that the third essence of existence or Islamic identity was formed in society and came to be, the Prophet (s.a.w) began to establish the fourth stage of Islamic existence called Islamic society. This was at a time when Islamic individuals came and swore allegiance to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w) in order to set up an Islamic community, a community where Islamic social practical laws would be constituated. Thus Islam broke through the walls of homes entering the economic and political scene and that of war and peace. From here we understand the meaning and function of «Allegiance» in Islam, and realize that allegiance brought about the Islamic community or the highest form of Islamic existence.
Hence, during the lifetime of our Prophet (s.a.w), Islam acquired four types of subsistence. The terminology was announced, their meanings were proclaimed and indoctrinated, individuals were trained to bear the burden of acting according to Islam and eventually the Islamic community was also founded. In the prior historical periods of man, during the lifetimes of all of the prophets (the prophets of mission), these very terms used in the final Divine religion also existed: prayer (salat), compulsory alms (zakat), fasting (soum) and Holy War (jehad) etc. existed as terms along with their meanings. The proceeding prophets propagated these terms and their meanings in every possible way to them. In addition to this, Islamic personality were also trained by them. Of course, the success of the prophets in this third part varied, some having more success, some having less. However, some of them were successful in creating an Islamic society, like Moses, David and Solomon and others were not.
During the Holy Prophets (s.a.w) time, Islam emerged in all of it essences of existence and with all of its aspects and phases in society. But after that revered prophet what happened? It might be surprising for you to find out that the Islam subsisting among the majority of Muslims today is nothing but the name of Islam, its real meaning having disappeared. An example of this is seen in relation to prayer. Since prayer has certain conditions, if these conditions do not exist the true reality of prayer ceased to exist. The same is true for every other Islamic commandment such as fast and the Holy War (Jehad), if their conditions and particulars dont accompany them they will not be considered as Islamic laws.
We now repeat our question: Islams existence in name, meaning, identity and society came to be during the lifetime of the Last Prophet (s.a.w) and most other prophets, but what happened after the death of these prophets? About the previous prophets it must be said that after their deaths Islam was completely erased from their society being altered, changed and concealed. Of course this didnt happen all in one day or all at one time but over a span of time. In time the Islam that Moses proclaimed completely vanished. The Islam that Jesus son of Mary preached was destroyed after him not even its literal or terminological existences remained.
Because Islam is the name of a religion which God revealed to all of his prophets of mission, the name of Mosess religious law was Islam and has now been changed to Judaism, while the name of Jesuss (a.s) religion has been changed to Christianity. These names did not come from God but were created by nations and came to be at the hands of meddlers. During previous ages alteration was so advanced that not only did Islamic societies such as that founded by Moses cease to exist, but the Islamic identity built by him was also overturned so that even its meaning and terminology were destroyed. Only this group (the Jews) see themselves as his followers but did Moses or Jesus proclaim these practices, beliefs and behaviour which now exist among the Jews and Christians? Were the drinking of liquor, the refraining from circumcision, ideas that Jesus is the son of God and that God is made up of three persons, taught by Jesus (a.s)? As such it may be said that Islamic society, identity, meaning and terminology have all ceased to exist.
Now lets see what form the situation will take with regard to the religion of the Last Prophet (s.a.w). He himself had said: Only its name will remain. Nay of Islam only its name will remain and of the Quran only its written lines.
We are trying here to understand this remark and penetrate and dig into its environs, We have said that of the Islam previous prophets proclaimed, none of the various stages of its existence remain. However with regard to the Last Prophets (s.a.w) religion, according to his own words, in the ages following him only the name of Islam will remain. Literally, this tragic event pertains to the first period of the Imamat. The role of the Holy Imams (a.s) in the Islamic society was to return to the dead, meaningless, evicted Islam, and bring to life its active and conceptual existences. These great men both returned the true meanings of Islam to the society and then proceeded to nurture Islams identity.
Alteration and its Dimensions in Past Nations