Arabic PDF for the topic
The Eight Stages of the Rise and Fall of Civilizations
Sociologists and anthropologists have described the stages of the rise and fall of the world's great civilizations.The Scottish philosopher Alexander Tyler of the University of Edinburgh not ed eight stages that very well illustrate what history reveals. I first came across this in Ted Flynn's book "The Great Metamorphosis", They provide a great deal of perspective for what we are currently going through, let's take a look at each of the eight stages. The Fallen stages
From abundance to contentment
Being content means being complacent and increasingly unaware of dangerous trends that undermine health and the ability to thrive. Everything looks fine, so it should be fine. However, the necessary institutions, resources, infrastructure, and virtues are all crumbling, as virtues, instructions, and ideals are as distant as ever, those who sound the ultimatums are labeled by the laggards as "murderers" and considered extremist, cruel or judgmental.
The Islamic perspective
Allah says
( حَتَّى إِذَا أَخَذَتِ الأرْضُ زُخْرُفَهَا وَازَّيَّنَتْ وَظَنَّ أَهْلُهَا أَنَّهُمْ قَادِرُونَ عَلَيْهَا أَتَاهَا أَمْرُنَا لَيْلا أَوْ نَهَارًا فَجَعَلْنَاهَا حَصِيدًا كَأَنْ لَمْ تَغْنَ بِالأمْسِ كَذَلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ الآيَاتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ )
(Even when the earth takes on its adornment and is decorated, and its people think that they have power over it, our command came to it day or night, and we made it a harvest, as if it had not sung yesterday. Thus do We explain the verses in detail for a people maybe reflect.)
If you observe the first stage of the fall of civilizations, you will find it (from abundance to contentment)
The Qur’an refers to abundance in several verses, including, for example
Abundance (even when the earth takes on its adornment and is decorated)
Contentment (and its people thinking they are capable of it)
*Do not be deceived by what you have today, as it is not a sign of a strong civilization. Rather, this depends on what you do. Your fate will be tomorrow.
From contentment to careless
The word careless comes from the Greek and refers to a lack of interest or passion for things that were once moving and inspiring. Because of the complacency in the previous stage, the growing lack of interest in disturbing trends is progressing towards complete separation, many rarely think about or care about the sacrifices of previous generations and lose the sense of the necessity to work for and contribute to the common good. "Civilization" is being dealt a serious blow by being replaced by privatization and privatization in increasing degrees, work and sacrifice for others become more distant. Increasing numbers are increasingly willing to live on the corpse of previous sacrifices. They park over a dime for someone else, but they won't fill up the parking meter themselves. Hard work and self-discipline continue to erode.
The perspective of Islam
Allah says
{ أَيَحْسَبُ الإنْسَانُ أَنْ يُتْرَكَ سُدًى }
{Does man think that he will be left in vain?}
In vain: without reward or punishment, and it was said: He did not leave them in vain, without command or prohibition, and without an explanation of what they needed.
The Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, said
“A servant’s feet will not move on the Day of Resurrection until he is asked about four things, about his life and how he spent it and about his body and how he used it, and about his knowledge and what he did with it, and about his money, where he earned it and how he spent it.”
From this standpoint: No matter what abundance Muslims think of, this cannot call them to careless, but rather to preserve what they have achieved of abundance, and man is not left unpunished, as mentioned above, for careless is the first level upon which God Almighty’s punishment begins.
From careless to dependence
Increasing numbers of people lack the virtues and enthusiasm to work and contribute. The suffering and sacrifices that built the culture are now a distant memory. As discipline and work increasingly seem "too hard," dependence grows. Collective culture is now guiding in the direction of dependency. Suffering of any kind seems unbearable. But virtue is not the solution, having lived on the sacrifices of others for years, civilization now insists that "others" must solve their problems. This heralds the growing demands for collective government solutions. This in turn deepens dependency, as solutions move from personal virtue and domestic and family sacrifices to central sacrifices.
“The Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, says
When he was asked which earning is better? He said: The man worked with his own hands and every sale is accepted.
He, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
No one eats food better than eating the work of his own hands, and the Prophet of God, David, used to eat the work of his own hands, peace and blessings be upon him.
In an undocumented narration on the authority of the Messenger of God - may God bless him and grant him peace
- he entered the mosque and saw a man staying in the mosque. He asked: Where does he get his livelihood? They said to him: His brother spends on him. So he, may God bless him and grant him peace, said: His brother is more worshipful than him.
The witness
The idea of relying on others is an unacceptable idea in Islam. Even if our master Khaled bin Al-Walid or one of the companions his sword fell from him while he was on the horse, he would get off the horse and bring it himself at the time when he could order others to bring it to him, there are thousands of Muslims who do not work voluntarily. Muslims are divided into (forced slaves, others who do not work because the work does not suit their social status among their peers - or an ambitious few who work hard until they achieve what they aspire to).
From dependency to slavery
As the dependency increases, the centripetal force increases. Dependent people tend to become increasingly dysfunctional and hopeless. Looking for a savior, they look to strong central leadership. But the central authority corrupts and tends to increase the intrusion of the central authority. Injustice and intrusion multiply. But those who are enslaved do not know any other solutions. Family and personal virtue (essential components of any civilization) are now being replaced, effectively through an increasingly dark and tyrannical centralized control, hungry for more power. In this way,
The perspective of Islam
Allah says
وَضَرَبَ اللَّهُ مَثَلًا رَّجُلَيْنِ أَحَدُهُمَا أَبْكَمُ لَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَىٰ شَيْءٍ وَهُوَ كَلٌّ عَلَىٰ مَوْلَاهُ أَيْنَمَا يُوَجِّههُّ لَا يَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍ ۖ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي هُوَ وَمَن يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ ۙ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ (76)
God gave the example of two men, one of whom was mute and unable to do anything, He depends on his master, and wherever he directs him, he brings something, he didn't get any good, does he equal and he who commands justice, and He is on a straight path (76)
From dependence to slavery One of the characteristics of slaves who lived for a period of time under slavery - perhaps some of them emerged from slavery - is that they feel that they are unable to do anything without their master and they need real psychological treatment to get out of the circle of slavery psychologically, dear reader: Did you know that there were 10 million or more slaves in the world at the end of 1445 AH, most of whom were women and children? The state of Mauritania (a Muslim country) was at the top of the list of exports of slaves to the world, then it declined at the expense of an Asian country now... Dependence inherits slavery, get up and do anything. An act befitting the honor of being a Muslim (And We have honored the children of Adam)
The risen stages
From slavery to spiritual growth
Great civilizations are formed in the crucible. The ancient Jews were enslaved for 400 years in Egypt. The Christian faith and the church emerged from 300 years of persecution. Western Christianity emerged from the chaotic struggles during the collapse of the Roman Empire and the fierce "barbarian" tribes' movements, often. American culture was shaped by the oppression that grew in the colonial era. Pain and injustice cause - even strength - spiritual growth, pain brings wisdom and requires a spiritual discipline that seeks justice and solutions.
The perspective of Islam
Allah says
قُلْ يَاعِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِنْ رَحْمَةِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ {الزمر:53}
Say, O My servants, who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of God’s mercy, for God forgives all sins, Indeed, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful. {Az-Zumar: 53}
From slavery to spirituality, the West says (no pain, no gain), and Islam opens its arms to every sincere repentant person, and whoever suffers learns, understands, matures, throws away all causes of neglect, ruin, slavery, and other negatives, and takes on matters with strength, Rather, he feels gratitude for every small and large thing in his hand, which he did not do in a state of prosperity... This verse that is before us suggests the spaciousness of Islam to accept people. Otherwise, if people despaired of God Almighty forgiving them and accepting them again, they would persist in disobedience and sins. because in any case it is unacceptable. Muslims are in a catastrophic state now because of what is happening in beloved Palestine - may God relieve it of its captivity, Kashmir is on the verge of another ethnic cleansing. May God protect them and us through His grace. Let us all return to God in the manner and purpose that God desires. Not dervishes, but scholars working with their knowledge, specializing in several fields, even if we are starting from scratch.
From spiritual growth to great courage
Having been steeled in the crucible of suffering, courage and the ability to endure great sacrifice come forth. Anointed leaders emerge and people are summoned to courage and sacrifice (including loss of life) in order to create a better, more just world for succeeding generations. People who have little or nothing, also have little or nothing to lose and are often more willing to live for something more important than themselves and their own pleasure. A battle is begun, a battle requiring courage, discipline, and other virtues.
The respective of Islam
Allah says
فَهَزَمُوهُم بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَقَتَلَ دَاوُودُ جَالُوتَ وَآتَاهُ اللَّهُ الْمُلْكَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَعَلَّمَهُ مِمَّا يَشَاءُ ۗ وَلَوْلَا دَفْعُ اللَّهِ النَّاسَ بَعْضَهُم بِبَعْضٍ لَّفَسَدَتِ الْأَرْضُ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ ذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ (251)
So they defeated them, God willing, and David killed Goliath, and God gave him kingdom and wisdom, And He taught him what He wished. and had it not been that God had repulsed people, one of them with another, the earth is corrupted, but God is Possessor of bounty over the worlds (251)
We are not going to explain the noble verse, but we are going to shed some light on it:
1 - David was the youngest soldier in the battle against Goliath. However, he had great courage to kill Goliath, who was the chief of the enemies.
2 - After a while, David became a prophet of God - the Almighty - did he give up work? No, he used to work with armor and earned money from his handiwork. He was also king over the children of Israel, and yet he did not tire of working. This relationship between a prophet belongs to God Almighty - so what about us?
3 - God Almighty gave him wisdom - and wisdom is given in a measure to each person according to what he possesses of a sound heart, a clear belief, and an understanding of what God Almighty wants from His servants.
4-The spirituality with sincerity generates the great courage
From courage to liberty
– As a result of the courageous fight, the foe is vanquished and liberty and greater justice emerges. At this point a civilization comes forth, rooted in its greatest ideals. Many who led the battle are still alive, and the legacy of those who are not is still fresh. Heroism and the virtues that brought about liberty are still esteemed. The ideals that were struggled for during the years in the crucible are still largely agreed upon.
The perspective of Islam
Allah says
(يا أيها الذين آمنوا إذا لقيم فئة فاثبتوا)[الأنفال:45]
(O you who have believed, when a group comes to you, then stand firm) [Al-Anfal: 45]
As usual in this article: we will not explain the noble verse, but merely highlights:
1 - The believers are very beloved to the Almighty’s saying (O you who have believed) when they will hear after it, of course only the believers.
2 - What does the verse encourage to? It encourages steadfastness in the battle, and this is the courage that God Almighty loves.
Allah says
(يا أيها الذين آمنوا إذا لقيم الذين كفروا زحفًا فلا تولوهم الأدبار ومن يولهم يومئذ دبره إلا متحرفًا لقتالٍ أو متحيزًا إلى فئة فقد باء بغضب من الله ومأواه جهنم وبئس المصير)[الأنفال:15].
(O you who have believed, when those who disbelieve come upon you marching, do not turn your backs to them, and whoever turns his back to them on that day, unless he turns away to fight, or biased towards a group, he has incurred the wrath of God, and his abode is Hell, and wretched is this destination.” [Al-Anfal: 15].
Illuminations around the verse
1 - When the heat of battle is intense, the Muslim soldier can only be forward and not retreat
2 - Whoever gives his back to enemy warriors will receive the wrath of God and his abode will be Hell while he is a Muslim
3 - There are always exceptions, God Almighty.
He knows its hidden meaning (he deviates from fighting somewhere and turns back because of that, or supports a weak group, or something else).
The conclusion
God - the Almighty - loves the Muslim soldier to be brave and chivalrous, even if his soul leads to its creator. If you read what the anthropologists have said, you would know that courage necessarily entails the loss of lives, but it leads to freedom (the freedom of future generations).
From liberty to abundance
Liberty ushers in greater prosperity, because a civilization is still functioning with the virtues of sacrifice and hard work. But then comes the first danger: abundance. Things that are in too great an abundance tend to weigh us down and take on a life of their own. At the same time, the struggles that engender wisdom and steel the soul to proper discipline and priorities move to the background. Jesus said that man’s life does not consist in his possessions. But just try to tell that to people in a culture that starts to experience abundance. Such a culture is living on the fumes of earlier sacrifices; its people become less and less willing to make such sacrifices. Ideals diminish in importance and abundance weighs down the souls of the citizens. The sacrifices, discipline, and virtues responsible for the thriving of the civilization are increasingly remote from the collective conscience; the enjoyment of their fruits becomes the focus.
From freedom to abundance
Being enslaved to a person or to something (drug addiction or any type of addiction) or even your love for someone other than God exceeds your love for God makes this thing your deity as slavery without slavery. Your servitude to God alone without any gods with Him without making you feel that you are worshiped (because you are in Islam, you do the laws voluntarily in most cases - or it is supposed to be - freedom, and freedom makes you a great person who will have abundance after a while through lawful earning and continuous hard work.
at the end
Dear dear reader: There is no vacuum in the universe, and there is no vacuum in dealing with God - the Almighty - so God Almighty does not forget us - He is our Creator and Sustainer and we will return in the end, no matter how little or much there is in our hands - alone - so if we are not in a state of elevation Civilization: Therefore, we are at the end of civilization, and there is no way to salvation except by following the rise of civilization again.