Materialism is defined as “the belief that material possessions and physical comfort are more important than spiritual values”. (D.K. Illustrated Oxford Dictionary, Dorling Kindersley, London, 2010)

Materialism is also defined as a form of philosophical monism which holds that matter is the fundamental substance in nature, and that all phenomena, including mental phenomena and consciousness, are the result of material interactions. Materialism is closely related to physical matters; the view that all that exists is ultimately physical. Such a belief has evolved from materialism with the discoveries of physical sciences. Physical forms of the world like time, space, energies and other forces are taken into account.

As materialistic view belongs to the class of monistic ontology, it is against spiritualism and idealism. To idealists, spirit or mind or the objects of mind (ideas) are primary, and matter secondary. To materialists, matter is primary, and mind or spirit or ideas are secondary, the product of matter acting upon matter. Materialists are unable to explain the origin of the world or physical forms of matter contained therein. Philosophers such as Mary Midgley opine that the concept of ‘matter’ is elusive and definition is vague. Positive human traits like patience, forbearance, tolerance, charity, kindness, social mindedness, mercy, love, wisdom, etc. are signs of spirituality, whereas cruelty, treachery, greed, falsehood, plunder, riots, looting, massacre, rape of women, scandal, threatening, discrimination, etc. ate signs of non-spirituality, formed in the mind of a person as a result of materialism.

There are many books written about ‘happy life’. Most of these books aim to exploit greedy people who want high position or huge amount of money. Many methods are taught in the name of ‘personality development’, ‘career guidance’ and so on. Of course artificial methods can give happiness for a short period only.

 

Islamic Monotheism vs. Materialism

Islam is a complete and perfect code of life, the consequence of which ends in the Eternal Peace of soul. Islam, the unique path, is not limited to meditation and worship. The acts and deeds of daily human life should be in accordance with natural law. In Islam, spirituality is inextricably linked to the ‘law of nature’. Prayer is an integral part of Ibadah or obedience to Allah.

Materialism is against monotheism. Disobedience is due to disbelief, even though certain people engage in ‘religious rituals and rites’. Respecting elders and loving children are signs of ‘law of nature’. But, in the material world everything is ‘matter’ or body. Parents are like animals which breed young ones. As such, for worldly enjoyment parents are sent to ‘old age homes’. An American happens to say: ‘I have limited time to look after my parents, because I wanted to look after my dog’. This is the situation now.

Non-believers believe in destroying believers so that they can lead a ‘happy life’. In fact, it is God the Almighty who created human beings and put them to test ‘who are the obedient people’. Atheism and polytheism are the same in their outlook, aiming only at materialistic benefits of man. Both philosophies reject the natural truth of Cosmology. In fact, there cannot be more than one force to control the working of the universe. Monotheism is the right form of belief conveyed to human beings by the Creator through the Messengers sent to mankind. This is evident not only in the Holy Qur’ān but in other religious texts like the Bible, Vedas and Torah as well.

Allah reminds mankind that it is He who gave blessings to mankind. The Holy Qur’ān states: “…Then We changed their suffering into prosperity, until they grew and multiplied.” (Al- Aaraf: 95) In fact, Allah gives admonitions to a race or society before it is destroyed. Regarding Egyptians under Pharaoh, Allah states: “We punished the people of Pharaoh with years (of drought) and shortness of crops; that they might receive admonition.” (Al-Aaraf: 130) Despite this, they did not choose the right path, and, subsequently they were punished severely. This incident is narrated to Bani Israel by Prophet Musa in order to guide his people. Unfortunately, they were also arrogant and chose material life. History tells us the fate of Bani Israel at the hands of Romans. Romans destroyed them and their culture. Later, Israelites recovered under the Muslim rule in Spain and Baghdad.

 

Prophet’s Teachings of Reality of Life

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) taught the reality of life in this world, and gave right interpretation to the law of nature. It is true that the Almighty helps those who obey His rules. However, the Prophet taught human beings the rules of ordinary life, and this is evident in his saying, “Trust in God and tie your camel.”

Keeping in mind the motive of Islamic law, Edmund Burke writes; “The Muhammadan law which is binding on all from the crowned head to the meanest subject is a law interwoven with a system of wisest, the most learned and the most enlightened jurisprudence that ever existed in the world.” (Quoted in Islam – the First and Final Religion, p. 75, published by G.A Memon, Baroda, 1982).

Like the consequences of each and every spiritual action of human beings, consequences of mundane actions are also taught by the Prophet. He said: “Modesty is a part of faith, and those who are not ashamed (regarding consequences in the Hereafter), let them do whatever they like.” Those who believe only in the comfort of body go to any extent, even destroying other’s life or plunder other’s wealth as we see in the case of riots in India, planned and executed by anti-social elements. Evil actions like rape, plunder, massacre, slander, framing false charges against innocent people, malicious reports of authorities, discrimination of various types, threatening, etc. are actions coming out of a material mind.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) never discarded ‘benefits’ of this world (material) totally. He taught us the prayer: Rabbana Aa tina fiddunya hasanatan wa fil Akhirati hasanatan wa qina adhabannar (O God bless us in this world and Hereafter and save us from hellfire). He also taught the believers to utilise the blessings of this world (material) in a positive manner to benefit the solidarity of family life as well as unity on social life.

Col. Donald S Rockwell has rightly said: “Prophet Muhammad gave us a religious system of normal action, not blind faith in the protection of an unseen force in spite of our neglect, but confidence that if we do all things rightly and to the best of our ability, we may trust what comes as the Will of God.”

 

Signs of Spiritualism

In the earlier days of Islamic civilization, a lady, who was indebted to a person, was compelled to engage in sexual act by the person who had lent her money. When he approached for the act, the lady reminded him: ‘wattaqullah’ (beware of Allah). He immediately withdrew from his attempt and asked her to forgive him. The spirituality had overtaken materialistic thoughts in him. We come across many such examples in the history of Islamic tradition. The Prophet once asked a person not to tell lies when he had approached the Prophet to embrace Islam. He was a thief who used to steal dates and other material during night time. On the same night he set out with the same intention. However, he remembered the promise given to the Holy Messenger of Allah. Suddenly, he walked back and promised that he would not do it. The Prophet’s words were so powerful and inspiring that he repented, and the spirituality overtook the mundane intentions.

Once, a cobbler made an intention to perform Hajj, and set out to Makkah. On the way, at night, he reached Baghdad where he wanted to spend his night. He found a house and asked the owner of the house, a lady, for permission to stay there that night. The lady, a Christian by faith, gave him permission to stay there. The guest asked her whether he could get some food on payment. The lady, after a long pause, told him they were starving for three days without food. The guest gave her all the money he had and returned home without performing Hajj. However, he was informed by a person that such and such a person (named Ali) was blessed with the highest dignity of Hajj pilgrimage. He told the stranger that he did not perform Hajj. The man told that he was informed by an Angel in the dream that Ali was blessed with dignity. The act Ali did was more than the noble act of Hajj. The spirituality and true devotion had inspired him to do so. That is why the Holy Qur’ān instructs: “Be steadfast in faith, and such are victorious.” Once, a lady, a prostitute, while walking through the desert, saw a dog starving without water. She collected water and gave it to the dog. According to a Tradition, she earned the eligibility to enter Paradise on the Day of Judgment. Signs of spirituality are visible in these incidents.

 

Holy Qur’ān on Materialism

Maurice Bucaille, the famous French scientist, writes: “The relationship between the Qur’ān and the science is a priori, a surprise, especially when it turns out to be one of the harmony and not of discord…. The majorities of today’s scientists, with a small number of exceptions of course, is indeed bound up in materialist theories, and have only indifference or contempt for religious questions which they often consider to be founded on legend. (The Bible, The Qur’ān and Science, p. 110, Crescent Publication, 1990)

The Holy Qur’ān refers to many instances of downfall of the people who rejected the commands of God the Almighty due to their materialistic affiliation. The case of many powerful tribes like Aad and Thamud are revealed. The Israelites, were given many favours by Allah, but these were taken away due to their material activities overtaking the Ten Commandments given to them by Musa – the law prescribed to them like Shari’ah to Muslims. Apart from prescriptions of divine law and guidance to mankind to defeat the plots of Satan (see Surah Al-Baqra 2-4 of the Qur’ān). Allah reveals the fate of those who were engaged in worldly affairs, rejecting the realities of the Hereafter.

Few people misinterpret religious principles, and their intention is to confuse religious people, as if it is the legislation of God. In the West, religion is identified with Christianity and Judaism only, and once they found it to be against ‘science’, they declared ‘religion’ as anti-science.

However, the case of Islam is entirely different, for it acknowledges scientific evidences for understanding religion. But, imperfect form of science could not agree with Islamic religion, as Islam is the Eternal Truth based on truth and evidences. Atheists wanted to keep the faithful out of their authority so as to convince the masses that the government authority (i.e. politics) is separate from religious rites and rituals. In fact, in Islam, Ibadah includes all human actions from birth to death irrespective of their being spiritual or material. In Islam, mundane activities are not directly linked to worship of God. But, unnatural mundane actions also determine the consequences of religious actions. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) said: “A person who keeps fasting (during the month of Ramadan) should be conscious about deeds, otherwise his fasting would go invalid.” He also reminded people: “Those who do not keep their tongue and sexual organ under control would not be rewarded on the Day of Judgement.”

The Holy Qur’ān reveals that it is a blessing to mankind as a law book, guidance (to our activities) and also a medicine to treat mental worries and hardships.

The Holy Qur’ān reveals that those who chose material life were destroyed in the past. Referring to this, the Holy Qur’ān states: “The men who rejected Shuaib became as if they had never been in the homes where they had flourished. The men who rejected Shuaib – it was they who were ruined.” (Al-Aaraf:92)

The Holy Qur’ān reminds us that ‘fabulous’ wealth in this world is only a test for mankind. Good actions and deeds are real wealth in the Eternal world. As earthly life is temporary, those who think wisely can understand that there is an end to the life of this world. As they reject the realities in the hereafter, few people see blessing in the form of wealth or money and follow illegal method to acquire it. Stanley Lane Poole writes: “The Qur’ān is undoubtedly a book of great importance even to the non-Muslims, perhaps, more today than even, if that is possible. Accordingly, antagonism between religion and science such as that familiar to Westerners is foreign to Islam.” (The Essential Koran, p.viii, Tr. Thomas Clancy, Indus, Delhi)

Unfortunately, if a person is affected with hardships or poverty due to his bad actions, he blames the ‘time’, saying ‘it’s bad time for me’. A report from Abu Hurairah says: The Prophet has said: “Allah reveals that ‘sons of Adam inveigh against (the vicissitudes of) Time, and I am Time, and My Hand is the night and the day’ (related by Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim).

In the modern world people compete to achieve ‘greatness’ and display false ‘pride’. In fact, ‘pride’ and ‘greatness’ belongs to Allah. ‘One who competes to become great would be thrown into hell.”

 

History of Materialism

The concept of materialism is not new to human tradition. In fact, the idea of materialism evolved to the level that the modern world witnessed was rooted in the behavioural pattern of people of ancient times itself. It is love for luxuries of the world that set up materialistic thoughts. Consequently, human beings try to justify their materialistic actions through ‘scientific discoveries’. As science itself is not complete in itself, no one can justify their actions on the basis of scientific discoveries. Recently, one of the famous scientists, Stephen Hawking, warned mankind that they should not depend completely on modern science. He went to the extent of saying the discovery ‘God’s Particle’ reveals the destruction of the world in the near future.

Ibn Tufail was the first Arab philosopher to write a book on materialism, Hayy ibn Yaqdhan (Philosophus Autodidactus)

It is believed materialism developed during the time between 800BC and 200BC. In fact, materialistic thought developed many centuries before that when a group of people started worshipping idols of certain ‘divine’ persons few centuries after the beginning of human life on earth through Prophet Adam. Like in other parts of the world, in India materialism developed with writings of Ajita Kesakambali, Payasi and Kanada. The supporters of Carvaka School boosted the materialistic thought in India. Jayaraashi Bhatta (6th century CE) wrote Tattvopalavasimha (The upsetting of all principles), a work supporting materialistic thought. In ancient China, Xunzi (312-230 BC) was the champion of materialistic thought. Yang Xiong and Wang Chong followed them. In Greece, Thales, Anaxagoras, Epicurus and Democritus were earliest materialists. In Rome, poet Lucretius (99BC-55BC) propagated materialistic belief through his poem De Rerum Natura. Materialists believe only in the body and not in the soul.

Fascism and Nazism were outcome of atheist belief which is influenced by Darwinist theory. Darwinism and Communism led to the belief of ‘survival of the fittest’, and clashes occurred for supremacy of one over the other. The mindset of the people became fit to introduce ‘jungle law’. Harun Yahya says that ‘dialectical conflict does not foster the development of societies. It destroys them.

He writes: “As we have so far seen, Darwinism is at the root of various ideologies of violence that have spelled disaster to mankind in the 20th century. The fundamental concept behind this understanding and method is ‘fighting whoever is not one of us’. Harun blames our educational system based on the findings of Darwin, and says that it led to terrorism. He also finds solution to solve the present problem.

Modern atheist belief started with scientific inventions, which claimed existence of anything (including God) is possible only on proof and science is based on proof. In fact, science is not perfect or complete in itself, and inventions and many discoveries are still going on which debased many earlier beliefs. Many inventions are made, including ‘Big Bang Theory’ which naturally endorses Islamic beliefs. Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution supported by writings of Carl Marx and Frederic Engels created a group of people who argued for materialism and rejection of spiritual world. Materialists make no difference between good and bad. To them whatever they do is ‘natural’, and human life is based on ‘logic’ and ‘tactics’.

Dr. Fareed A Nizami writes: “Arabian society was materialistic. Eat and drink was the main theme of the poems. Arabia was steeped deep in the worst form of idolatry that has ever prevailed in any country. There was no faith in life after death, no feeling of responsibility for one’s actions. The Arabs believed in demons, and diseases were attributed to the influence of evil spirits…. There was no moral code, and vice was rampant. The poor were oppressed by the rich; the weak were suppressed and depressed by the strong and the mighty. Jungle rule ‘might is right’ prevailed…. Obscene poems and songs were recited in public assemblies. Sexual relations were loose. There was no punishment for adultery, nor any moral sanctions against it. Prostitution was common and was not considered dishonourable.”

Dr. Fareed also says about the economic exploitation and the pitiable condition of women, orphan and the weak people. After giving an account of the situation in ancient Arabia (Arabia before Prophet Muhammad under the heading ‘materialistic’, Dr. Fareed points out how the Prophet overcomes all these situations with spirituality. (Prophet Muhammad in Indian Context, p.20)

 

Signs of Material Life

Extravagance and luxury are vehicles of materialism. Usury is a reflection of material thought of selfishness. Prophet Muhammad warned against these evils; and as a result of that the whole Arab society was transformed into human nature. Human relations became stronger and concrete. People recognised the dignity of parents and the elderly. As a result of material life human relations become strain.

In the introduction to Surah ‘Mumin’ (believer) Abdullah Yusuf Ali writes: “The general theme of the whole series is the relation of faith to unfaith; Revelation to Rejection; Goodness to Evil; Truth to falsehood.” In the introduction to Surah Muminun (believers) he writes: “Faith, coupled with humility in prayer, charity, and abstinence from vanity and from indulgence in appetites must lead to final success, even though people mock and accuse the righteous of false motives, as did the contemporaries of Noah, of Moses, and Jesus.”

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) has said: “The love for this world and its riches leads a person to destruction.” The people are now engaged in the construction of luxurious houses, eat costly food items and travel in luxury vehicles, neglecting the needs of the poor around them. This is also a sign of materialism.

 

Modern Materialism

Modern atheist belief started with ‘scientific inventions’ during the 18th and 19th centuries. Interestingly, all the ‘modern discoveries are only extension of what had been invented by Arab and Persian scientists during the Muslim rule in Spain and in Baghdad. Modern atheists believe that anything is possible without the ‘help’ of God. They propagate the principle of materialism so as to create confusion in the minds of people without right knowledge. ‘Whatever is visible to eye is only truth’, according to them. They claim that science is based on ‘proof’, and existence of ‘God’ has no proof. The presence of God could be felt only through right actions, and no one can see God with their eyes. Science is not unique or complete in itself. In the modern age, The French cleric Pierre Gassendi (1592-1665) represented materialist tradition. He was followed by Jean Meslier, Julian Offray La Mettrie, Paul-Henri Thiry, Baron d’ Holbach and so on. Ludwig Feuerbach wrote: The Essence of Christianity, a new interpretation to materialistic theory.

During the periods that followed Renaissance, Reformation and Geographical discoveries, a series of secular literary works was produced which questioned the ‘authority of the Pope’ and the ‘Rules of the church.’ The Reformation was a protest against the belief of the church. Writers like Dante (Divine Comedy) promoted materialist beliefs. Since European Christianity was corrupt and illogical, the people who protested against it were known as ‘Reformers’ and they gained popular support. The principles of ‘democracy’ and ‘secularism’ got much support for materialistic belief. In fact, the scientific progress or technological development has nothing to do with ‘atheism’. The fact remains that the Muslim scientists, who were faithful believers in God, were behind almost all modern inventions and discoveries.

 

Islamic response to Materialism

Many world famous scientists and writers have judged Islam as a practical philosophy of life and not a mere religion which is limited to prayer and other spiritual affairs and rituals. Muhammad Iqbal Siddiqui writes: “It is worthy of mention in this context that George Bernard Shaw has, in his book entitled ‘The Doctor’s Dilemma’ highly applauded the medical importance of Islamic teachings in general in building a healthy society” (Muslim Contribution to Science, p.9) Siddiqui points out that scientific achievements of Muslims were due to the inspiration from the Qur’ān and Sunnah (tradition of the Prophet).

Evil actions are done as a result of materialistic belief. The Prophet said: “Behave as if God is seeing you, even if you cannot see God.” When a person does some evil action in secret (i.e. out of sight of human beings) he rejects the existence of God even if he does the ‘prayer’ and observes fast.

Feminism is an outcome of materialistic thought. The Creator has given equal status to men and women, even though their fields of activities are different. Modern feminists’ activities are a protest against nature or natural truth. All natural needs of women are human needs, and not the need of a separate group.

Since many individuals make a group and many groups make a society, each person has a role in the making of a good society. When people believe in materialistic philosophy, the world goes that way. We have no right to alter the divine law or natural law. We cannot correct the defects or faults that occur due to human interference in the working of the world or universe.

 

Challenge and Response

In the process of challenge and response, which occurs in every human life, the true character of a person is brought out. If the intention of a person is purely material, he seeks all methods, including illegal, sometimes destroying others, to fulfil his ‘dream’. On the other hand, a person who follows natural law works as per the law of nature, which benefits him and the society as a whole. Good societies only can make a good nation – as was evident during the time of the Rightly Guided Caliphs.

All human beings are obliged to follow natural law, and no special concession be given to anyone, except in the case of ‘miracles to humans from Allah’ to remind human beings that there is a Superior Force beyond their knowledge. It was on a lunar eclipse day that Ibrahim, the beloved son of Prophet Muhammad breathed his last. People started commenting that the nature is sad because of the demise of Ibrahim. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) corrected them, saying lunar eclipse is a natural phenomenon and is nothing to do with the fate of a person.

 

Categories of People

There are three categories of people:

1. True believers (in Allah and the Hereafter);

2. Pretenders (they try to convince others that they are believers, but in fact they are not true believers (see Holy Qur’ān Surah Al-Baqara); and

3. Those who reject the existence of the Creator and Divine law but believe that all the resources in this world are spontaneous, and also the life in this world is the ‘reality’.

The second and third categories of people, despite their personal enjoyment, are not able to develop and enjoy peace of mind. Moreover, they are not able to bring up a peaceful generation as well.

Consequently, they create much harm and mischief on earth.

In fact, every human being has both spiritual and material elements in his/her mind. Our character is shaped according to the intention (Niyat) and action (Amal). Good actions results in the success of a person in both the worlds. But, when wealth, power and money become the criteria for success in life, it is limited to this world only and the true world turns unhappy.

Gandhiji has commented that ‘education without moral base is of no value’. Morality is a symbol of spirituality. Arnold Toynbee has rightly pointed out the meaninglessness or invalidity of Western civilization built on modern scientific inventions followed by atheism in his ‘Study of History’. Writing on the meaninglessness of Western civilization, Toynbee comments: “Though in certain other respects the triumphs of the English-speaking peoples may be judged, in retrospect, to have been a blessing to mankind, in this perilous matter of race feeling it can hardly be denied that it has been a misfortune (Civilization on Trial, p. 205, New York, 1948).

He further writes that this ‘spiritual void’ could be filled by Islamic principles: “If ever the ‘natives of these regions ( Central Africa and Indonesia) succeeded in recapturing a spiritual state in which they are able to call their souls their own, it may prove to have been Islamic spirit that has given fresh form to the void.” (Ibid, p.207-208)

To convince mankind that Allah’s Message is true and inevitable for human life in this world, the Holy Qur’ān repeatedly mentions incidences of punishment meted out to disobedient people who rejected Life after Death. The advice is illustrated with few selected incidence like that of ‘People of the Cave’ (Surah Al-Kahf) who were kept in deep sleep for years and decades together and later raised to life to signify Allah’s power to raise the dead to life. Death is termed as ‘deep sleep’ and sleep is termed as ‘short death’ by Allah. In Surah ‘Ar-Rahman Allah depicts the scene in Paradise to invoke spiritual belief in human beings. The teachings of earlier Prophets like Ibrahim (Abraham), Ismael (Ishmael), Ishaq (Isaac), Musa (Moses) and Isa (Jesus) are given in the Holy Qur’ān to support the authenticity of revelations to Prophet Muhammad. In Surah Al-Aaraf, Allah reveals the history of Prophet Shuaib.

 

Results of Materialism

We have many evidences regarding the mortality of the materialistic people’s life as well as materialistic authority. The Soviet Union formed on the basis of atheism was short-lived. China, another atheist nation, now permits religious practices, especially Christian practices as a result of American influence. There are many instances to refer to, including the People of Prophet Lut who were engaged in an evil materialistic life. Spanish nation, with headquarters at Cordova, disintegrated when its rulers fought against one another for material welfare. Muslim empires in India also disintegrated due to the same reason. When the authorities and officials turn luxurious, the power weakens, and as a result, they are thrown out by their enemies. In the history of the world, we come across the downfall of many ‘great’ civilizations – Babylonian, Mesopotamian, Sumerian, Egyptian, Indus Valley, Chinese, Aryan, and Dravidian and so on. They were destroyed at the time of their glory, because of crossing the limits set by Allah. Allah the Almighty would not tolerate violation of Divine rule as in the case of Iblees (Satan). In Surah Ar- Rahman Allah reminds mankind: “And the firmament He raised high, and He has set up the balance (of justice), in order that ye may not transgress (due) balance.” (Ar-Rahman: 7-8) In history, we can note that a group of people or individuals met with punishment only when they cross the limits set by Allah.

 

Solution

Allah warns mankind for deviating from their real nature to artificial state. Surah At-tin states: “We have indeed created man in the best of moulds, then do We abase him (to be) the lowest of the low, except such as believe and do righteous deeds. For, they shall have a reward unfailing. What then, can after this make you deny the Last Judgment? Is not Allah the Wisest of Judges?” (Surah At-tin: 4-8)