Preserving Faith in the Modern Era: Challenges and the Path Forward
In earlier times, people held strong faith even with limited knowledge, as their beliefs were naturally protected by the religious and cultural environment. They were not exposed to the arguments of disbelief or atheism in the way people are today.
Now, in the modern world, safeguarding one’s faith requires profound intellectual understanding, because attacks against belief are widespread and come from every direction.
In our society:
◈ Children are rarely given proper education in matters of creed or basic jurisprudence.
◈ They grow up with hearsay and unsupported beliefs, often influenced by emotion rather than intellectual depth.
◈ The absence of company with ʿUlamā’ (scholars) or righteous mentors further weakens their grounding.
As a result, when these youth enter the modern world, they experience doubt, confusion, or bitterness due to their shallow understanding of the faith.
In the face of modern ideologies, those who possess a strong foundation in classical kalām (Islamic theology) and philosophy can endure these ideological attacks.
✔ Classical Islamic scholarship contains rational and textual proofs capable of countering the claims of modern thought.
Thus, studying theological foundations has become essential for the survival of faith today.
According to Shaykh ʿĪsā Nūr al-Dīn:
“When people desire to distance themselves from God and spiritual values, they create an environment where such realities appear imaginary or unnecessary.”
(Understanding Islam, F. Schuon, p. 37)
The modern environment dismisses spirituality and divine truth, replacing them with materialistic worldviews and a fabricated reality.
Public opinion in the modern world has become so overpowering that questioning or rejecting its assumptions appears nearly impossible.
This has led to an alignment of inner and outer realities, wherein even the fundamental tenets of religion come under doubt and scrutiny.
Today, the clear boundary between belief and disbelief is increasingly blurred.
– People struggle to maintain a balance between religion and worldly life.
– Worldly desires and material goals have become so dominant that spiritual values are sidelined or forgotten.
After Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, the idea gained popularity that beliefs (ʿaqā’id) should not be emphasized, as people found them difficult to accept.
As a result:
✔ Religion was moulded to fit Western ideologies,
✔ And presented in a form stripped of its spiritual core — a “soft and pleasant” version that appeared compatible with modern civilization, yet lacked divine foundations.
In the current age, there is a strong tendency to present Islam in a watered-down form, merely to make it easier and more acceptable to the public.
This has led to a religion that is devoid of its essence, reduced to rituals and surface-level beliefs.
But if Islam is presented in its original form, there is hope that:
✔ People will be drawn to it naturally,
✔ And even be willing to sacrifice for it.
The core message of Islam is to reflect on the reality of Allah, and once this is accepted, everything else follows.
Modern secular societies define humans merely as social animals or economic agents.
– Faith has no place,
– And the spiritual nature of man is deliberately erased.
To preserve faith, it is essential that religion be rooted in a transcendental reality, not just in superficial or cultural religiosity.
✔ Only such a foundation can support those who face doubt, confusion, and intellectual uncertainty.
Allah never leaves those who sincerely seek Him in misguidance.
– Through humility, patience, and perseverance,
– Allah gives individuals the chance to reassess their intentions and refine their spiritual path.
"لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا"
“Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.”
(Al-Baqarah: 286)
❖ The Simple Faith of the Past Generations
In earlier times, people held strong faith even with limited knowledge, as their beliefs were naturally protected by the religious and cultural environment. They were not exposed to the arguments of disbelief or atheism in the way people are today.
Now, in the modern world, safeguarding one’s faith requires profound intellectual understanding, because attacks against belief are widespread and come from every direction.
✿ Lack of Education in ‘Aqīdah (Creed)
In our society:
◈ Children are rarely given proper education in matters of creed or basic jurisprudence.
◈ They grow up with hearsay and unsupported beliefs, often influenced by emotion rather than intellectual depth.
◈ The absence of company with ʿUlamā’ (scholars) or righteous mentors further weakens their grounding.
As a result, when these youth enter the modern world, they experience doubt, confusion, or bitterness due to their shallow understanding of the faith.
✿ The Importance of Kalām and Classical Theology
In the face of modern ideologies, those who possess a strong foundation in classical kalām (Islamic theology) and philosophy can endure these ideological attacks.
✔ Classical Islamic scholarship contains rational and textual proofs capable of countering the claims of modern thought.
Thus, studying theological foundations has become essential for the survival of faith today.
❖ Influence of Modernity and Public Opinion
✿ Loss of Spiritual Environment
According to Shaykh ʿĪsā Nūr al-Dīn:
“When people desire to distance themselves from God and spiritual values, they create an environment where such realities appear imaginary or unnecessary.”
(Understanding Islam, F. Schuon, p. 37)
The modern environment dismisses spirituality and divine truth, replacing them with materialistic worldviews and a fabricated reality.
❖ The Mental State of the Modern Era
Public opinion in the modern world has become so overpowering that questioning or rejecting its assumptions appears nearly impossible.
This has led to an alignment of inner and outer realities, wherein even the fundamental tenets of religion come under doubt and scrutiny.
✿ The Blurred Line Between Īmān and Kufr
Today, the clear boundary between belief and disbelief is increasingly blurred.
– People struggle to maintain a balance between religion and worldly life.
– Worldly desires and material goals have become so dominant that spiritual values are sidelined or forgotten.
❖ Influence of Modernist Interpretations on Religion
After Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, the idea gained popularity that beliefs (ʿaqā’id) should not be emphasized, as people found them difficult to accept.
As a result:
✔ Religion was moulded to fit Western ideologies,
✔ And presented in a form stripped of its spiritual core — a “soft and pleasant” version that appeared compatible with modern civilization, yet lacked divine foundations.
✿ Presenting the True Form of Islam
In the current age, there is a strong tendency to present Islam in a watered-down form, merely to make it easier and more acceptable to the public.
This has led to a religion that is devoid of its essence, reduced to rituals and surface-level beliefs.
But if Islam is presented in its original form, there is hope that:
✔ People will be drawn to it naturally,
✔ And even be willing to sacrifice for it.
The core message of Islam is to reflect on the reality of Allah, and once this is accepted, everything else follows.
❖ Safeguarding Religion in Today’s Godless Societies
Modern secular societies define humans merely as social animals or economic agents.
– Faith has no place,
– And the spiritual nature of man is deliberately erased.
✿ The Path of Resistance
To preserve faith, it is essential that religion be rooted in a transcendental reality, not just in superficial or cultural religiosity.
✔ Only such a foundation can support those who face doubt, confusion, and intellectual uncertainty.
❖ Divine Assistance and Guidance
Allah never leaves those who sincerely seek Him in misguidance.
– Through humility, patience, and perseverance,
– Allah gives individuals the chance to reassess their intentions and refine their spiritual path.
"لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا"
“Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.”
(Al-Baqarah: 286)
