“Indeed, We have honored the children of Adam.” (Al-Isra, 17:70)
Throughout human history, the dark periods of the past—such as the primitive ages or the times of ignorance before the prophets—resurface today in different forms. Groundless judgments, prejudices, and innovations have now taken shape as nationalism, sectarianism, conformism, spiritual and intellectual inadequacy, selfishness, and clannishness, forming our modern prisons. It would not be an exaggeration to say that people have fallen into a whirlpool where minds have stagnated and are trapped in the hypnosis of “scroll, look at the next.”
In earlier times, our enemies were ignorance, poverty, division, and fanaticism. Today, these have been joined by deceit, oppression, indulgence, obscenity, indifference, and rootless cosmopolitanism.
Let us examine some of the modern prisons that people face today and struggle to overcome:
Comfort Zone:
People generally prefer to remain in familiar and comfortable environments. This can hinder them from gaining new experiences and personal growth.
Cosmopolitanism and Cultural Identity:
Globalization and cosmopolitan lifestyles may cause individuals to lose or weaken their cultural identity.
Consumerism:
The constant pressure to consume leads people to overvalue material things while neglecting spiritual values.
Technology and Loneliness:
Excessive use of technology reduces face-to-face communication, leading individuals into loneliness.
Questioning the Meaning of Life:
The fast pace and constant changes of modern life push individuals to question life’s meaning and often leave them feeling dissatisfied.
Fondness for Comfort:
Modern man’s obsession with comfort becomes an obstacle on the path of growth and progress. This fondness for comfort is characterized by choosing easy and effortless solutions instead of facing difficulties. It can hinder personal development and success. Let us remember: in hardship lies mercy, and in mercy lies hardship.
Superficial Knowledge:
A lack of deep understanding results in decisions based on shallow knowledge, which often leads to mistakes. The pollution of information distances people from truth and from their core values.
Stagnation:
Resistance to change and innovation restricts both individual and social development.
Egotism:
Placing personal interests above all else weakens social solidarity. When desire takes the lead, divine guidance is left behind.
Spiritual Emptiness:
When material values dominate, a spiritual void emerges—marked by a lack of inner peace, meaning, or purpose. This void can cause existential crises, where one feels deep dissatisfaction despite seeking fulfillment through material means.
Let us also recall the “Six Attacks” (Hücumât-ı Sitte) described in the 29th Letter: love of status (hubb-u cah), fear, greed, racism, arrogance, and attachment to comfort (ease-seeking).
In addition, there are five destructive dangers we can identify: neglecting consultation, being content only with the past, disrespecting elders, mistaking means for ends, and losing Islamic zeal and passion.
Modern lifestyles weaken traditional moral values and lead to both individual and social crises. The goal is to become the Perfect Human (Insan-ı Kamil)—a person who has internalized moral values and comprehended divine truths. The Perfect Human and the Qur’an are regarded as twins, for both reflect divine realities.
From the essay Faith From a Particular Perspective, the Perfect Human is described as follows:
“A believer is a hero of affirmation, insight, and representation: one with common sense, wisdom and foresight; a mind illuminated by revelation—pure and crystal-clear; a vast and objective understanding; a firm and comprehensive vision; meticulousness and sensitivity toward responsibilities; determination and resolve against evil; a lifelong pursuit of virtues, ever striving for the heights; ever-lively awareness, consciousness, and will; curiosity to penetrate the essence of all things; deep discernment in interpreting events; trust and reliance upon God; being known among people as a person of trust; wholeheartedly affirming the Truth and remaining loyal to Him; being recognized as trustworthy with entrusted matters; remembered as a source of safety to whom everyone turns; accepted by the collective conscience; and, wherever he or she is seen or heard, becoming a means for God’s remembrance. By state and word, such a person directs people toward Him—embodying the principle that ‘Absolute remembrance is devoted to perfection.’”
In conclusion: Facing and overcoming our modern prisons is of great importance for the growth of both individuals and societies. Without being truly free, how can we ever attain real freedom?
