❖ Effects of Capitalism and the Revival of the Islamic System ❖
◈ Systemic Transition in the Modern Age
The era we live in is undergoing a profound “systemic transition”, similar to historical shifts such as the fall of the Roman Empire, the Ottoman Caliphate, and Christian Europe. During such transitions, old systems collapse, and new systems emerge.
To evaluate the present shift, we must first understand the foundational concept of a “system of life.”
① What Is a System of Life?
A system of life is the integrated framework of human thought, actions, and relationships.
- Every individual determines good and evil, and the purpose of life, independently.
- A person is individually accountable for their deeds and will be held responsible in their grave alone.
② Muslim or Free?
Today, people live under two foundational beliefs:
❖ Either they say: “I am a Muslim”,
❖ Or they say: “I am a free individual.”
Both are based on faith. As Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya (RA) said, faith is a miracle, not the result of intellect or intuition. Great figures like Aristotle, Gandhi, Kant, or Einstein did not possess faith because faith is a divine gift, not a product of rationality.
③ System of Sentiments and Thought
Human thoughts and feelings are rooted in faith, and they manifest on two levels:
- Societal level: Where individuals freely express their identity.
- State level: Where values are enforced by authority and law.
④ Changing Values Lead to Changing Institutions
As societal values change, so do the institutions.
🔹 Example: The traditional Sufi khanqah system in Muslim society has been replaced by Chambers of Commerce.
Change in society does not occur through coercion, but through transformation of values.
🔸 Example: In New York, a youth may prefer fornication over marriage—not due to force, but due to value change.
⑤ Role of the State
The state imposes societal values by force. However, this force is only effective if:
✔ The people accept or tolerate those values.
🔹 Example: During British rule in the Subcontinent, the public tolerated Western values, though many resistance movements failed.
⑥ The Three Levels of Human Life
Human life operates on three interconnected levels:
① Individual level – Where belief systems are formed.
② Social level – Where voluntary relations develop.
③ State level – Where legal and coercive enforcement of values occurs.
This interconnected structure forms the “system of life,” as described by Shah Waliullah (RA) and Maulana Maududi (RA).
⑦ The Western Capitalist System of Life
To establish the Islamic system of life, the dominant capitalist system must be dismantled. Sayyid Qutb (RA) called it “pure ignorance (Jahiliyyah Khāliṣah)” as Islamic values cannot thrive under it.
Capitalist System in Three Layers:
- Individualism – Man is autonomous and defines morality for himself.
- Society – Relationships are based purely on self-interest.
- State – Legally enforces capitalist values.
⑧ Capitalist Notion of Individualism
In capitalism:
- Man has no servitude to God—he becomes his own “lord.”
- According to Kant, man is autonomous and determines good and evil independently.
- According to Utilitarianism, the measure of all things is pleasure or benefit.
⑨ Social Degeneration Under Capitalism
Capitalist society promotes:
✘ Fornication
✘ Hedonism
✘ Greed
In Western nations:
- The family system has collapsed.
- Widespread fornication has led to declining birth rates.
- Nations adopting capitalist values are heading toward the same downfall.
⑩ Capitalist State and Global Domination
The state’s goal is maximization of capital, even through coercion.
- Nations like the USA wage wars and seize economies to preserve global capitalism.
- China and India are also becoming active participants in the same capitalist order.
❖ Conclusion: Reclaiming the Islamic Way of Life ❖
The capitalist system attempts to turn man into a devil, enslaved by his desires.
To counter this, Muslims must rebuild a holistic Islamic system at all three levels:
✔ Individual servitude to Allah
✔ Societal relationships based on morality and faith
✔ State governance rooted in Shariah and divine values
Only a coordinated struggle on all fronts can liberate humanity from the shackles of capitalism and restore Islamic civilization.
