Holding onto Islam in a Morally Decadent Society – Winning Essay from the 18th(2024) CMO International Youth Essay Competition

This thought-provoking essay, Holding onto Islam in a Morally Decadent Society, by Zainab Abdulazeez, earned 2nd place in Category B of the 18th (2024) CMO International Youth Essay Competition.

Abdulazeez’s essay delves into the moral decline plaguing societies today, offering a compelling exploration of how Islam provides a comprehensive and profound solution to this pressing issue. Through Qur’anic teachings, the essay sheds light on the steps believers can take to preserve their morality in the face of societal decay.

Introduction:
In the name of Allah, the most gracious, the most merciful. “Verily, Allah enjoins justice and doing good to others; and giving like kindred; and forbids indecency and manifest evil and transgression. He admonishes you that you may take heed” (Qur’an 16:91).

Moral degradation is worse than a complex and serious disease with devastating long-term consequences. It refers to the process of declining from a higher to a lower level of morality and is seen as preceding or concomitant with the decline in the quality of life as well as the fall of societies and nations. This moral decline has destroyed individuals, families, dynasties, and nations alike from within. It begins slowly, with seemingly harmless choices by some individuals, but then spreads like an epidemic, affecting society at large. Moral degradation begins when transcendent moral values—those that have proven beneficial over time—are discarded in favor of vain, lustful desires.

Unlike secular societies that breed vices like adultery, drinking, homosexuality, financial crimes, and political corruption, religious societies look towards sacred scriptures and traditions to prevent moral degradation. However, all religions are silent on this subject, except Islam. Islam is the only religion that claims to provide complete guidance for all human needs: physical, moral, and spiritual. It is only Islam that addresses the root causes of moral decline in profound ways and provides a cure when it proclaims: “We gradually reveal understanding of the Qur’an, which is a healing and a mercy to the believers…” (Qur’an 17:83).

With reference to the verse quoted at the beginning, this verse contains three commandments and three prohibitions that briefly deal with all the various stages of moral and spiritual development of man. On the positive side, it enjoins justice, the doing of good to others, and kindness to kindred. On the other hand, it forbids indecency, manifest evil, and transgression. After a believer attains this stage, his moral development is complete. Moral decline is identified with three words: Fahsha (indecency), Munkar (manifest evil), and Baghy(transgression). Fahsha signifies vice known only to the doer, Munkar refers to evils that others see and condemn, and Baghy encompasses vices that harm others directly. These three words cover all conceivable vices.

This profound commandment is so critical that it is recited every week in the second portion of every Friday Sermon. It emphasizes the importance of reminders because humans are forgetful by nature. Anyone who reveres their own plans, mischief, or ego as they should revere Allah (SWT) alone, or depends on others as they should depend on Allah (SWT) alone, is considered an idol-worshipper in the sight of Allah (SWT).

The first step in preserving the morals of individuals is belief in the Oneness of Allah (SWT) and condemnation of shirk (associating partners with Allah). The second step is the obligation towards one’s parents. Allah (SWT) says: “Thy Lord has commanded that ye worship none but Him, and that ye show kindness to parents…” (Qur’an 17:24). The third step in preserving morals is one’s obligation towards kin, the poor, and the wayfarer, as well as the proper use of wealth. Allah (SWT) says: “Give to the kinsman his due, and to the poor and the wayfarer, and squander not thy wealth extravagantly” (Qur’an 17:27).

A simple Islamic tip to avoid moral decline is to “Follow not the footsteps of Satan” (Qur’an 2:169). Peer pressure plays a significant role, but Allah (SWT) warns believers to stay away from those who could mislead them from the path of righteousness. Allah (SWT) says: “O ye who believe! Fear Allah and be with the truthful.” (Qur’an 9:119). The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) defines a worthy friend as “The one whose very sight makes you remember Allah, whose conversation increases your knowledge, and whose deeds remind you of the Hereafter” (Bukhari).

In conclusion, Islam is the only religion that offers complete and perfect guidance to prevent moral degradation. However, one may ask, “Why do we see moral decline in Muslims?” The answer lies in the fact that Islamic guidance is only effective for those who are righteous and believe in the Hereafter. Allah (SWT) says: “Those who believe not in the Hereafter, We have made their deeds appear beautiful to them, so they are wandering blindly” (Qur’an 27:5-6).

This verse explains that when a person pursues an evil course, thinking there is no accountability, they begin to justify their conduct as good. When making daily choices, if one considers the long-term consequences rather than immediate gratification, they can save themselves from grief. A sense of right and wrong is built into human nature. Allah (SWT) says in Surah Ash-Shams (91:8-11): “He has implanted in man’s nature a feeling or sense of what is good and bad…” Therefore, it is incumbent on every Muslim to be an agent of Islamic propagation in their community, not an example of moral decadence.

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