Moral Decline and Modern Theories in the Islamic Perspective
The article opens with a statement that, according to the author, reflects a tone of semi-wisdom:
“What a strange time we live in.”
This oft-repeated phrase—especially when lamenting moral decay—is commonly associated with those who view themselves as above societal faults.
A concerning trend has emerged in contemporary thought:
❖ Training children according to traditional ethics is now considered harmful by some.
❖ Selflessness, forgiveness, and courtesy, once signs of virtue, are now viewed as weaknesses.
❖ Children are increasingly taught that success requires surpassing others—even usurping their place.
This approach reflects the competitive, survival-oriented ethics of the modern world.
Referencing Ahmad Javed, the article connects Western civilization to the distorted philosophical legacy of Nietzsche.
In The Genealogy of Morals, Nietzsche divides morality into two categories:
➤ Symbolizes strength and autonomy.
➤ The strong create their own values, disregarding traditional rules and limits.
➤ Arises from fear and weakness.
➤ It represents the moral code of the oppressed, designed to suppress the powerful.
According to Nietzsche, religious morality is a form of slave morality—a reactionary ethic rooted in resentment.
Nietzsche's critiques primarily targeted Christian and Judaic ethics,
but Islam presents a different model:
✔ Islam established qisās (just retribution) and justice as the foundation of social balance.
✔ It emphasized the fusion of strength and compassion, as clearly manifested in the life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ—who combined both leadership and humility.
✔ In Islamic teachings, power is neither inherently good nor evil—it is judged by intention and application.
The author argues that modern Western thought has increasingly influenced our moral training, while our own traditions have been sidelined.
❖ Western institutions—educational, political, and cultural—are transmitting their philosophies into our societies.
❖ As a result, values like sacrifice and generosity are being redefined as cowardice or failure.
Islam offers a balanced ethical framework that safeguards against both moral extremism and nihilism:
✔ Power should be exercised with justice and mercy.
✔ The Hadith:
“The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer...”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2664)
clarifies Islam’s view that strength coupled with righteousness is virtuous.
✔ Belief in the Hereafter connects intention with action, and redefines good and evil with eternal consequences.
The author warns that if moral decay continues unchecked, future generations will create a society worse than that of animals.
✔ Scholars, philosophers, and reformers must prioritize public education and moral revival.
✔ It is crucial to resist the infiltration of corrupt ethical ideologies and revive the balanced, spiritual ethics of Islam.
The moral crisis of the modern world stems from unbalanced philosophies that exalt power and dismiss compassion.
Islam, through its prophetic teachings, offers a unified vision of strength, justice, mercy, and accountability.
Reforming ethical thought in light of Islamic values is not only possible—it is urgently necessary.
❖ Introduction
The article opens with a statement that, according to the author, reflects a tone of semi-wisdom:
“What a strange time we live in.”
This oft-repeated phrase—especially when lamenting moral decay—is commonly associated with those who view themselves as above societal faults.
❖ Moral Decline and the Upbringing of Children
A concerning trend has emerged in contemporary thought:
❖ Training children according to traditional ethics is now considered harmful by some.
❖ Selflessness, forgiveness, and courtesy, once signs of virtue, are now viewed as weaknesses.
❖ Children are increasingly taught that success requires surpassing others—even usurping their place.
This approach reflects the competitive, survival-oriented ethics of the modern world.
❖ The Foundation of Modern Morality
Referencing Ahmad Javed, the article connects Western civilization to the distorted philosophical legacy of Nietzsche.
In The Genealogy of Morals, Nietzsche divides morality into two categories:
◈ Master Morality
➤ Symbolizes strength and autonomy.
➤ The strong create their own values, disregarding traditional rules and limits.
◈ Slave Morality
➤ Arises from fear and weakness.
➤ It represents the moral code of the oppressed, designed to suppress the powerful.
According to Nietzsche, religious morality is a form of slave morality—a reactionary ethic rooted in resentment.
❖ Religious Morality and Islam
Nietzsche's critiques primarily targeted Christian and Judaic ethics,
but Islam presents a different model:
✔ Islam established qisās (just retribution) and justice as the foundation of social balance.
✔ It emphasized the fusion of strength and compassion, as clearly manifested in the life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ—who combined both leadership and humility.
✔ In Islamic teachings, power is neither inherently good nor evil—it is judged by intention and application.
❖ Modernity and Our Ethics
The author argues that modern Western thought has increasingly influenced our moral training, while our own traditions have been sidelined.
❖ Western institutions—educational, political, and cultural—are transmitting their philosophies into our societies.
❖ As a result, values like sacrifice and generosity are being redefined as cowardice or failure.
❖ Islamic Philosophy as a Solution
Islam offers a balanced ethical framework that safeguards against both moral extremism and nihilism:
✔ Power should be exercised with justice and mercy.
✔ The Hadith:
“The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer...”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2664)
clarifies Islam’s view that strength coupled with righteousness is virtuous.
✔ Belief in the Hereafter connects intention with action, and redefines good and evil with eternal consequences.
❖ The Need for Moral Reform
The author warns that if moral decay continues unchecked, future generations will create a society worse than that of animals.
✔ Scholars, philosophers, and reformers must prioritize public education and moral revival.
✔ It is crucial to resist the infiltration of corrupt ethical ideologies and revive the balanced, spiritual ethics of Islam.
❖ Conclusion
The moral crisis of the modern world stems from unbalanced philosophies that exalt power and dismiss compassion.
Islam, through its prophetic teachings, offers a unified vision of strength, justice, mercy, and accountability.
Reforming ethical thought in light of Islamic values is not only possible—it is urgently necessary.
