We are currently living through a period where the “construction” of man has ended and his “demolition” has begun. This shift is moving us into a state of “not being human,” where our relationship with knowledge is changing from a moral pursuit to a mechanical one.
Here are the key ways this erosion is happening—and how we can begin to fix it:
1. The Shift from Morality to “Efficiency”
In traditional systems, knowledge (ilm) was always about the distinction between right and wrong or good and evil. Today, that framework is being replaced by mechanical logic.
- Mechanical Knowledge: Knowledge is no longer defined by deep thought or contemplation, but by how “accurate” and “effective” an action is.
- Data vs. Humanness: We now focus on “big data” to get results. In this new world, being “human” (admiyat) is actually seen as a disqualification because it isn’t as efficient as a machine.
2. The Failure of Our Institutions
Because our core identity is being hollowed out, the traditional ways we pass down values are failing.
- The Identity Vacuum: A “virus” of self-forgetfulness is spreading, creating a vacuum that is swallowing up mosques, madrasas, and even our books.
- Empty Rituals: Without a firm sense of self-hood (khudi), things like sermons, religious attire, and speeches become empty symbols that can no longer stop the process of de-humanization.
3. Technological Enslavement
Technology has become a form of modern-day slavery that is more restrictive than the feudalism of the past.
- Dulling of the Senses: As we become “programmers” focused on metrics and sales, we lose the ability to feel authentic emotions like love or fear.
- Virtual vs. Natural: Our emotional responses are now triggered by “virtual reality” rather than real human interactions. This breaks the “system of feeling” that used to connect us to one another and to deeper truths.
4. The Path to Restoration (The Mustanad Wajood)
To reclaim a meaningful life, we must restore our “authentic being” (mustanad wajood). This is an internal process that requires specific tools:
- The Spiritual Toolkit: Use the four tools of non-personal pride, gratitude, patience (sabr), and humility to re-engage with existence.
- Inner Filtering: Imagine your inner self as “100 cups”. Many are filled with the “dirty water” of the market and the outside world. We must discard this to make room for spiritual growth and “clean water”.
- True Solitude: Real solitude isn’t just being physically alone; it is a spiritual state where you build inner strength away from the distractions of the crowd.
The Metaphor of the Broken Vessel
Knowledge requires a “knower” to exist. If the human subject is demolished and replaced by a machine-like function, ethical and spiritual truths have nowhere to live.
Note to Creative Thinkers: Think of human identity as a vessel and knowledge as the water. If the vessel is broken or porous, it doesn’t matter how pure the water is; it will simply leak out and disappear into the ground. Only by repairing the vessel—our human identity—can the water of knowledge serve its purpose again.
This post is adapted from this amazing talk by Ahmad Javaid: (1501) The Normal Man نارمل آدمی – Ahmad Javaid | احمد جاوید – YouTube
Leave a Reply