❖ Western Concepts of Right and Good: An Islamic Critical Review ❖
✍ By: Dr. Javed Akbar Ansari
◈ Western Ideology of Right and Good: Foundations of Capitalism and Democracy
According to Dr. Javed Akbar Ansari, the Western philosophical constructs of “Right” and “Good” serve as foundational pillars for capitalism and democracy, both of which fundamentally contradict the Islamic worldview. This article critically examines the ideas of major Western thinkers to demonstrate the deep-rooted conflict between Western and Islamic epistemologies—and why dialogue between the two is inherently impossible.
◈ The Core Issue in Western Thought: The Concept of Self
At the heart of Western philosophy lies the notion of the “Self.” Over time, Western philosophers defined this concept in various ways, which became the bedrock of their intellectual frameworks.
◈ The Enlightenment and Romanticism Movements
✦ Enlightenment (Tanmīr):
The Enlightenment movement fundamentally rejected divine revelation. While Protestant Christianity initially diminished the role of revelation, Enlightenment thinkers went further, claiming that human reason alone could answer all questions about the cosmos and human existence.
✔ Human reason—both inductive and deductive—was elevated as the ultimate source of knowledge.
✔ Revelation was declared unnecessary for intellectual or moral guidance.
✦ Romanticism (Rūmāntisizm):
In contrast, Romanticism asserted that intuition, not reason, was the primary means to reach truth.
✔ Intuition included instincts, emotions, and desires, which were considered legitimate sources of knowledge.
✔ Reason was seen as subordinate to these human faculties.
◈ Rousseau: The Synthesis of Enlightenment and Romanticism
Jean-Jacques Rousseau combined both Enlightenment and Romantic principles and introduced the idea of the “General Will.”
- He believed that man is naturally good and guided by pure instincts, thus does not require divine revelation or external guidance.
- This idea became the theoretical foundation of democracy and capitalism, where individual will is considered a reflection of the public good.
◈ Kant’s Concept of the Self
Immanuel Kant, a major figure in Western philosophy, presented a profound interpretation of the Self:
✔ He believed that the human self possesses an internal order that organizes experience and gives meaning to reality.
✔ According to Kant, human reason can formulate universal moral principles independently—without revelation.
✔ He emphasized freedom and autonomy, suggesting that man himself can determine right and wrong without needing divine law or Sharīʿah.
◈ Hegel’s Theory of the Self: The Collective Identity
Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel proposed that the individual self cannot be understood without the communitarian or collective self. He claimed:
- Personal identity is shaped within the context of historical communities.
- He introduced the concept of the “Absolute Self”, which God Himself is gradually realizing through historical development.
Hegel concluded that Western civilization represents the completion of this Absolute, leaving no further room for significant transformation—thus, asserting the permanence of Western dominance.
◈ Western Civilization’s Central Doctrine: The Deification of Man
Dr. Ansari describes the core creed of Western thought as the “deification of man” (al-Ilāhiyyah al-Insāniyyah).
The West operates on the basis of “Lā ilāha illa al-insān”—where man is the ultimate authority and criterion of truth and morality, effectively placing him in the position of God.
◈ Why Dialogue Between Islam and the West is Impossible
Islam proclaims revelation (waḥy) as the primary source of knowledge, while the West denies revelation, elevating reason and intuition as sufficient for all human guidance.
Because of this irreconcilable contradiction, true intellectual dialogue between Islam and Western thought is inherently impossible. The Western concepts of Right and Good stand in direct opposition to Islamic principles.
◈ Islamic Rebuttal of Kant and Hegel
✔ Kant’s self-sufficient reason is incompatible with Islam, as the Islamic epistemology places revelation above all other sources of knowledge.
✔ Hegel’s communitarian ethics, which ground morality in historical evolution, contradict Islamic absolutes, where right and wrong are defined by divine revelation alone.
❖ Conclusion: The Need to Completely Reject Western Civilization ❖
According to Dr. Javed Akbar Ansari, since Western civilization is built upon the rejection of revelation and elevates man to divine status, it must be completely and categorically rejected.
There is no middle path or possibility of synthesis between Islam and the West. The worldview of Islam and that of the West are so fundamentally opposed that no meaningful reconciliation or dialogue can occur.
