❖ From Christianity to Secularism and Liberalism: A Historical-Philosophical Journey ❖
✿ The Divine Trust of Religion with Bani Israel
✔ Allah ﷻ entrusted Bani Israel with the guidance of Islam, granting them the light of divine revelation.
✘ However, over time, they:
- Adopted non-Islamic philosophies and customs.
- Gave priority to rituals over spiritual essence.
- Fell into moral decay and materialism.
① The Arrival of ʿĪsā عليه السلام and His Reformist Mission
During a period of political subjugation under the Roman Empire, with Jews in a state of despair, ʿĪsā ibn Maryam عليه السلام was born in Bethlehem.
✔ Yaḥyā عليه السلام (John the Baptist) foretold his arrival.
✔ ʿĪsā عليه السلام called for:
- Moral reform
- Correction of corrupt practices
- Freedom from religious extremism
✘ His message posed a threat to the Jewish clergy and Roman authorities, leading to the attempted crucifixion.
② Post-ʿĪsā Beliefs and Doctrinal Deviations
✔ Early followers believed ʿĪsā عليه السلام would return to establish a heavenly kingdom.
✘ But Paul and Hellenistic Jews altered his message, forming a new religion — Christianity.
③ Introduction of Shirk (Polytheism) into Christianity
✔ Greek mythology and mystical philosophies were infused into Christian doctrine.
✘ Concepts like the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) emerged, drawn from Greek philosophical roots.
🗨 Imam Ibn Taymiyyah (رحمه الله):
“The Christians inserted polytheistic elements into the teachings of the Prophets, which were never part of their original message.”
④ Doctrine of Atonement and Salvation
According to Christian theology:
✘ All humans are born sinners due to the sin of Ādam عليه السلام.
✘ ʿĪsā عليه السلام, by being crucified, atoned for the sins of humanity.
This belief reinforced:
- The Trinity
- A non-merit-based concept of salvation
⑤ Greek Philosophy and the Divinization of Man
✔ Under Greek thought, man began to be viewed as possessing divine traits.
✔ This developed into Humanism, wherein:
- Man determines good and evil by his own will.
- There is no need for divine revelation.
⑥ From Christianity to Secularism and Liberalism
The transformation occurred in stages:
✔ Nationalism:
- The Reformation movement splintered religion along national lines.
- Local traditions gained sanctity above shared religious identity.
✔ Secularism:
- Religion was removed from public life.
- Rationalism became the sole criterion for societal judgment.
✔ Liberalism:
- Every individual gained the right to determine morality for themselves.
- Rooted in the Christian concept of salvation, but now without religious framework.
⑦ The Aftermath: Modern Western Civilization
✔ Deviations in Christian theology laid the groundwork for:
- Nationalism
- Secularism
- Liberalism
✔ Societal values were now evaluated by reason, not revelation.
✘ Liberalism enshrined:
- Freedom of thought
- Personal autonomy
- The right to self-define morality
✅ Conclusion: A Civilization Built on Rejection of Revelation
Modern Western civilization emerged on the denial of divine revelation, promoting reason, instinct, and desire as the sole sources of truth.
“لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا الْإِنسَان”
There is no god but man.
✘ Islam completely rejects this foundation.
✔ True understanding of human nature, morality, and salvation can only come through divine guidance (وحی).
