27/10/2024
The Story of Civilization in Brief
The story of human civilization began with the story of Adam, peace be upon him, from his creation to his descent to Earth to take on the mantle and responsibility of stewardship. Allah endowed him with a soul ("And I have breathed into him of My spirit" - Al-Hijr, 29) that elevates him to greatness and with intellect ("And He taught Adam all the names" - Al-Baqarah, 31) with which he can weigh matters and things by the scales of thought and knowledge and harness the earth for religious and worldly benefit.
The fact that humankind was created with a soul means that humans are inherently religious and naturally inclined to accept truth and goodness. They need pure spiritual nourishment that only divine revelation and the guidance of prophets can fulfill. ("So, there will surely come to you guidance from Me, then whoever follows My guidance, there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve" - Al-Baqarah, 38), which leads to happiness in this world and the hereafter. Without this guidance, humankind stumbles in darkness and blindness, leading to social disintegration and corruption on earth. ("Whoever follows My guidance will not go astray, nor will he suffer. But whoever turns away from My remembrance, he will have a difficult life" - Taha, 123-124).
Furthermore, human creation with intellect and thought is a clear indication of the importance of knowledge and its role in developing the earth, uncovering its treasures and energies, and investing them appropriately, all without clashing with divine revelation. Knowledge is inseparable from revelation and does not contradict it in any way. ("It is He who created for you all that is on the earth. Then He directed Himself to the heaven" - Al-Baqarah, 29) ("And We have certainly established you upon the earth and made for you therein ways of livelihood; little are you grateful" - Al-A'raf, 10).
These two pillars (soul and intellect) form the foundation and essence of building civilizations and establishing them, which some refer to as the "World of Ideas." They must coexist inseparably, for spirituality (faith) alone cannot build a civilization, just as knowledge alone, without soul and revelation, builds a hollow material civilization devoid of values and virtues, containing within it the seeds of decay and collapse.
The Quran has sufficed humankind by mentioning this beginning and the origin of creation, sparing them the burden of answering questions that have long puzzled non-Muslim scholars about existence, the universe, the Creator, and the nature of human existence, leading many to wander in the labyrinths of the unknown.
Allah has introduced the children of Adam to their Creator, His messengers, Paradise and Hell, angels, Satan (their primary enemy), and the universe and its contents. He even introduced them to their own nature, inclinations, and tendencies, especially the desire for immortality ("Then Satan whispered to them to make apparent to them that which was concealed from them of their private parts. He said, 'Your Lord did not forbid you this tree except that you become angels or become of the immortal'" - Al-A'raf, 20) and the inclination to error and repentance ("But Satan caused them to slip out of it and removed them from that [condition] in which they had been. And We said, 'Go down, [all of you], as enemies to one another, and you will have upon the earth a place of settlement and enjoyment for a time.' Then Adam received from his Lord some words, and He accepted his repentance. Indeed, it is He who is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful" - Al-Baqarah, 36-37). These two traits (love of immortality and repeated error) are essential for developing and harnessing the earth and achieving empowerment on it.
Political, social, and economic philosophies, among others, should include a theory about human nature and its characteristics. By mentioning this nature, the Quran has opened up broad horizons for these philosophies to flourish and to interact effectively with humanity, ensuring its welfare and benefit.
Allah, the Almighty, did not leave humans to wrestle with life with only their innate disposition, as this fitrah (innate nature) can be corrupted or altered by social circumstances. Rather, He sent messengers and revealed scriptures and clear proofs to organize both private and public aspects of human life and to guard them from collective misguidance. Thus, it can be said that the foundation of human society is built on prophethood and monotheism, which has developed and progressed throughout history in harmony with the mission of the prophets. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "My example and the example of the prophets before me is like that of a man who built a house, beautifying and perfecting it, except for the place of one brick in a corner. People go around it, marvel at it, and say, 'If only this brick were put in place!' I am that brick, and I am the last of the prophets." (Reported by Al-Bukhari). Therefore, the civilizational and social construction of humanity does not start from scratch but rather complements what others have built, benefits from it, and develops the legacy and intellectual wealth at hand.
— Dr. Ihab Barham
