THE FRUITS OF A BRUTAL CIVILIZATION IS AN UNCIVILIZED SOCIETY

A TREE IS KNOWN BY ITS FRUIT

In the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries science was promoted as the key to the progress and was subsequently associated with the civilization. Auguste Comte in his work reported in ‘The Course of Positive Philosophy’ a society was aimed to be reformed on a scientific basis. He believed everybody should be taught modern science so that they can make attitudes or behaviour as part of one's nature by learning or unconscious assimilation of the new scientific values in their lives. Although, Comte’s philosophy is not widely discussed but it has unconsciously assimilated in the lives of the generations ahead. Over the years modern, irrational, unethical and inhumane objectives and concepts shaped the society resulting in an ever changing, devastating, brutal and materialistic culture within the society. A cruel and destructive capitalistic civilisation has emerged where Society is without compassion for misery or suffering of the world around.

Samuel Huntington wrote, “World politics is entering a new phase, in which the great divisions among humankind and the dominating source of international conflict will be cultural. In this emerging era of cultural conflict the United States must forge alliances with similar cultures and spread its values wherever possible” [1].

FRUITS OF A TREE DEVELOPED UNDER THE SHADE OF MODERN CIVILIZED SOCIETY

Aftab Amin Poonawalla murdered his live-in partner Shraddha Walker and dismembered her body into 35 pieces before dumping them in the Chhatarpur forests in south Delhi [2]. Live-in relationship is a modern day culture of this so called civilised society which is absolutely alien to Islam. The live-in partners have no mutual moral responsibility, whatsoever, as the man made laws make mutual consent of the two a legal reason under a secular law of the land.  This relationship is punishable under the Islamic governance where society is built upon sole guidance from Allah(swt).

Another effect, of this modern age, related to Aftab is his confession regarding his fondness for watching web series and shows related to crime and it was from these shows that he borrowed ideas on preserving the chopped-off body parts and disposing of them later [2, 3]. Islam builds up an Islamic personality out of an individual with ideal objectives in life which in turn naturally protects the society from any degradation. He also admitted before the police that he was high on marijuana on the day he murdered his live-in partner Shraddha Walkar. Further, he used to smoke weed, marijuana and was a habitual drug consumer [3].

PONDER UPON THE INCIDENT AND INVESTIGATE

For each Shraddha that makes headlines, there are a thousand women who don't, either because they are not killed yet, or because they have just acclimatised themselves to live with it, at the mercy of the abuser. In case of domestic abuse, the overwhelming percentage is that of women, not just in India, but worldwide [4]. All those incidents which fall in line with similar brutality must be publicised and investigated to control the society of ever spreading brutal culture of rape, murder and torture. It is primarily important to bring all similar culprits to book and incident must not be used to deviate the masses.

Speaking to ANI, Shraddha's father, Vikas Walker said, "I suspect love jihad” [2]. It would be a big deviation if the anti-Islam tags like ‘Love Jihad’ are used for this person under investigation. This would be a deviation from a very important discussion regarding the cause of all similar incidents, which number many. In fact, Aftab’s Islamic religious inclinations do not fall in line with the true Islamic culture and its basic teachings. Blaming Islam in this specific case would certainly give a limited level of political mileage and may polarise the masses partially. The real culprit is the uncivilised modern culture which stages multiple similar crimes within the society. The solution would be only when the society debunks the existing man made capitalistic culture and ideology. One must search for the answer to a very basic question regarding life, that is, ‘what is the purpose of this life?’ Did we ever ask ourselves about what was before life and what would be after it? We, in reality, are like the stray animals without a comprehensive objective in life. Allah(swt) reminds us in Surah Aal i’Imran Ayah 185:

[كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ]

“Everyone is bound to taste death and you shall receive your full reward on the Day of Resurrection.” [3:185].

The question is, are we in search of a perfect society which would be guided by the one who created man, gave him life and created universe to sustain this life. Aren’t these creations a reality? This reality can be sensed and it is evident about man that he is limited, dependent and so imperfect in all aspects of his life affairs. Thus, the man with his limitations, dependence and imperfections should seek for a perfect, dependable and complete solution from his Creator. It is up to man to choose between guidance and misguidance. Capitalists create slaves for themselves while Islam has wisdom to share and create a leadership of the Aqeedah or belief of Islam. Every human act is bound by the guidance from Allah(swt). Then only one can attain true success in life. Allah(swt) commands us in Surah Al Baqara Ayah 208:

[يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ ادْخُلُواْ فِي السِّلْمِ كَآفَّةً وَلاَ تَتَّبِعُواْ خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ]

“Believers! Enter wholly into Islam and do not follow in the footsteps of Satan for he is your open enemy” [2:208]

THE MAN MADE CIVILIZATION AND ITS BITTER FRUITS

Educating a child shapes his thoughts about life. These thoughts develop inclinations in the life of a man. Inclinations give motivation and energy to an individual to act according to his thoughts. Education system builds a foundation of the generation ahead. Unfortunately, the Capitalist ideology has placed education as a commodity of trade and used it as a tool of colonising minds. This should be a grave concern for the world we live in but a vital issue for the Islamic Civilisation. To colonize the minds of Muslim youth in Muslim majority countries, the West has installed education with methods and materials that have kept the Muslims far from their Aqeedah (creed) and their legacy of thaqafah (culture), as well as blocking their awakening and progress. Incorrect bases of education system develop an individual with self-centred and selfish objectives. In the roots of present day society, the fundamental concepts and belief is secularism, freedom, liberalism, and other non-Islamic ideas. All these concepts separate and reject the ‘Deen’, the guidance from Allah(swt) in worldly affairs Who is the Sole Creator of everything in the universe. Thoughts are the foundation of all growth and decline.The children of this Ummah from Muslim countries in particular and other countries in general have become like guinea pigs in laboratories that are out of place from the real habitat of Muslims.

In this incident the culprit, Aftab, crossed many limits of brutality. He is a burden of the existing abominable, inappreciable and abject culture which they term it as civilised.  Fundamental concepts and belief in secularism, freedom, liberalism, is the basis of modern day culture which forms the most uncivilised and declined society full of brutality in thoughts and actions.

THE FRUITS OF THE ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION AND ITS GOLDEN ERA

Human civilization under the shade of the Khilafah (Caliphate) that implemented the Islamic education system which was capable of guarding the identity of Muslims as Khairu Ummah (best nation). The guidance to restore a golden age is crystal clear, we just have to follow it. Its golden model is tangible because it was in existence for hundreds of years. And with hard work can we make it re-exist, and that is by building the awareness within this Ummah about the flawed man-made democratic system and the superiority of Allah's(swt) Islamic system. Consequently, this Ummah will not hesitate to throw away their non-Islamic systems and demand the implementation of Islam as the alternative. For this Ummah, Allah is the sole guide on every issue related the life here and the Hereafter. Spirituality dominated and guided the Ummah in its golden era. Spiritual aspect makes Allah the only source of guidance and this guidance is the only source of actions in man’s life. Thus, a feeling of spirituality prevails as the Allah’s(swt) Hukum (rulings) leads the human actions. His pleasure alone is the objective. The human mind gets satisfied, heart gets tranquillity and finally the reverence instinct is fulfilled. This is the basis of an Islamic culture which forms a true civilised society full of spirituality in thoughts and actions.

Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Ameenur Rehman