◈ The Deception of Freedom, Capital, and Desires of the Nafs ◈
In liberal ideology, freedom is defined as the pursuit and gratification of unlimited desires. The primary means for fulfilling these desires is capital. According to economic logic, the more wealth (resources) one possesses, the greater one’s ability to satisfy desires.
Hence, in liberalism, the expansion of freedom is conditional upon the increase of capital, and capital becomes the practical embodiment of freedom. The past three centuries of Western history stand as testament to this reality.
✔ Freedom means that man should not be restricted to desiring only specific things; rather, whatever he wishes should be possible to desire and acquire.
✔ To fulfill this limitless demand, the essential requirement is capital.
✔ Capital grants man the power to desire anything and acquire it.
✔ This is why economic success is measured by GDP (Gross Domestic Product)—greater production leads to more capital, and therefore, more freedom.
In liberal philosophy, each individual is obligated to pursue their self-interest. But self-interest in this context does not merely mean the pursuit of any personal goal or religious aspiration. Rather, it is narrowly defined as:
✔ The unrestricted increase in one’s personal freedom and capital.
The liberal framework teaches that an individual's primary duty is to constantly expand their desires, wealth, and freedom.
If someone believes their self-interest lies in attaining Paradise or in fulfilling a religious purpose, then—under liberalism—they are considered misguided and heretical. This is because they deviate from the liberal definition of self-interest.
In liberal economics, self-interest exclusively means maximizing lifetime consumption, a notion defined in macroeconomics as the maximum possible lifetime expenditure.
The true essence of freedom as a liberal value is to follow one’s desires, even if that means worshiping Satan.
Anyone who does not fully submit to the desires of the nafs or the devil is, by liberal standards, a heretic, much like how a non-believer is deemed a heretic in religion.
In reality, freedom is rebellion against servitude to Allah, where man becomes a slave to his base desires.
Such a person ultimately becomes a follower of Satan, as all his priorities are tied to the fulfillment of the nafs.
Another implication of freedom is the restriction of personal relationships to mere self-interest.
In Western societies, this leads to the denial of love’s true essence, because relationships are based solely on individual gain.
This self-centered lifestyle results in deep loneliness, which plunges individuals into existential anxiety.
Western secularism acknowledges this anxiety as inherent and permanent, claiming that escape is impossible.
However, Islam teaches that true peace and escape from such anxiety is possible only through the remembrance of Allah (dhikr). Indeed, dhikr is the source of tranquility of the heart and spiritual survival.
The liberal notion of freedom, founded on capital and limitless desires, leads to slavery of the nafs, societal disintegration, and spiritual emptiness. True liberation lies not in following desires, but in submission to the Creator, which alone brings contentment and true human dignity.
❀ Freedom in Liberal Thought ❀
In liberal ideology, freedom is defined as the pursuit and gratification of unlimited desires. The primary means for fulfilling these desires is capital. According to economic logic, the more wealth (resources) one possesses, the greater one’s ability to satisfy desires.
Hence, in liberalism, the expansion of freedom is conditional upon the increase of capital, and capital becomes the practical embodiment of freedom. The past three centuries of Western history stand as testament to this reality.
❀ The Foundation of Freedom: Boundless Desires ❀
✔ Freedom means that man should not be restricted to desiring only specific things; rather, whatever he wishes should be possible to desire and acquire.
✔ To fulfill this limitless demand, the essential requirement is capital.
✔ Capital grants man the power to desire anything and acquire it.
✔ This is why economic success is measured by GDP (Gross Domestic Product)—greater production leads to more capital, and therefore, more freedom.
❀ The Concept of Self-Interest in Liberal Thought ❀
In liberal philosophy, each individual is obligated to pursue their self-interest. But self-interest in this context does not merely mean the pursuit of any personal goal or religious aspiration. Rather, it is narrowly defined as:
✔ The unrestricted increase in one’s personal freedom and capital.
The liberal framework teaches that an individual's primary duty is to constantly expand their desires, wealth, and freedom.
❀ A Narrow Interpretation of Self-Interest ❀
If someone believes their self-interest lies in attaining Paradise or in fulfilling a religious purpose, then—under liberalism—they are considered misguided and heretical. This is because they deviate from the liberal definition of self-interest.
In liberal economics, self-interest exclusively means maximizing lifetime consumption, a notion defined in macroeconomics as the maximum possible lifetime expenditure.
❀ Freedom as Obedience to Satan ❀
The true essence of freedom as a liberal value is to follow one’s desires, even if that means worshiping Satan.
Anyone who does not fully submit to the desires of the nafs or the devil is, by liberal standards, a heretic, much like how a non-believer is deemed a heretic in religion.
❀ The Objective of Freedom: Rebellion Against God ❀
In reality, freedom is rebellion against servitude to Allah, where man becomes a slave to his base desires.
Such a person ultimately becomes a follower of Satan, as all his priorities are tied to the fulfillment of the nafs.
❀ Freedom and the Breakdown of Human Connection ❀
Another implication of freedom is the restriction of personal relationships to mere self-interest.
In Western societies, this leads to the denial of love’s true essence, because relationships are based solely on individual gain.
This self-centered lifestyle results in deep loneliness, which plunges individuals into existential anxiety.
❀ Deliverance from Anxiety ❀
Western secularism acknowledges this anxiety as inherent and permanent, claiming that escape is impossible.
However, Islam teaches that true peace and escape from such anxiety is possible only through the remembrance of Allah (dhikr). Indeed, dhikr is the source of tranquility of the heart and spiritual survival.
✔ Conclusion: Freedom Without God Is Enslavement to the Self
The liberal notion of freedom, founded on capital and limitless desires, leads to slavery of the nafs, societal disintegration, and spiritual emptiness. True liberation lies not in following desires, but in submission to the Creator, which alone brings contentment and true human dignity.
