Author: M. Farahi Tojegi
The Evolution of Nihilism and Its Opposition to Religious Faith (Part one)
Preface
Nihilism means the tendency toward viewing life as meaningless; “Nothingness” is the English equivalent of Nihilism in philosophy, meaning the denial of the meaning and value of existence and the universe, the severance of one’s relationship with God, and the escape from spiritual realities.
The philosophy of nihilism embodies detachment from the world, self-forgetfulness, indifference, and disbelief in the purposeful nature of existence, coupled with extreme skepticism toward everything.
As one of the intellectual movements of modernity, Nihilism (the doctrine of nothingness) denies any kind of meaning, value, or objective truth in life. This school of thought, which has its roots in the spiritual crises of the West, stands in complete opposition to the Islamic worldview.
This article examines the nature and historical development of nihilism, its essential differences with Islam, and the Islamic position toward it.
Introduction
What does Nihilism mean?
The term nihilism comes from the Latin word nihil, which means “nothing” or “nonexistence.”
If we only consider the literal meaning, it can be translated as “nothingness” or “non-being.”
However, the literal or grammatical meaning alone cannot convey the essence of nihilism unless we answer a key question: What is it that nihilism declares as nothing?
What is being negated or forgotten in nihilism?
When we speak of nothingness, the implication is that nihilism denies a certain truth or reality. So, what truth is being denied and what reality has been neglected?
Nihilism, in essence, is the denial of divine guardianship (wilayah); a forgetfulness of the Covenant of Trust (ʿAhd al-Amānah) and a rejection of divine authority.
It represents a historical condition of human forgetfulness and estrangement from divine truth.
In its primary manifestation, nihilism is a history; the history that began when humankind forgot divine guardianship and turned away from it.
It is, therefore, the history of heedlessness toward truth, the history of tyrannical rule, of injustice, of misguidance, and of human self-forgetfulness; the human being losing sight of the eternal essence of true humanity.
The reality of man; the fixed essence of humanity; comes into being only through remembrance of the Covenant of Trust and through adherence and devotion to the divine guardianship.
That Covenant means accepting the Wilayah (divine authority) and submitting to it.
When mankind remembers this Covenant and assumes the position of obedience and commitment to divine guardianship, he enters the realm of true humanity.
In other words, the realization of human nature depends on man’s remembrance of, and attachment to, divine guardianship, for the core of human essence lies in dependence upon and obedience to Allah’s authority.
Through this realization, man reaches the station of true humanity; otherwise, he is nothing more than a two-legged, upright-speaking creature.
Nihilism as a Historical Process
What is meant by history?
Throughout the course of their life on earth, human beings have either remained faithful to the divine existence and the Covenant of Trust (ʿAhd al-Amānah), or they have fallen into forgetfulness and heedlessness toward it. This choice has defined their history.
Before their creation and earthly existence, humans were acquainted with Tawheed (the oneness of Allah) in the ʿĀlam al-Dharr; the pre-eternal realm.” There they realized that they are the creations and servants of Allah, and that they must submit to and follow divine guardianship (Wilayah Ilahiyyah).
The perfection of human existence lies in detaching one’s heart from all worldly attachments and standing in the station of divine servitude, maintaining a relationship of devotion toward the Lord of Truth (Ḥaqq). This relationship must become actualized through obedience to Allah the Exalted.
Therefore, man’s duty; as the creation of Allah; and his perfection and happiness lie in following and obeying Allah the Almighty, binding the cord of love and obedience to Him in the spirit of devotion and servitude.
After creation and the beginning of life on earth, humanity has passed through a history filled with rises and falls: a religious history grounded in remembrance of divine guardianship, during which time mercy prevailed and the state of mankind as a whole was Rahmani (merciful). In the early stages of life on earth, humanity appeared as one united community.
This religious era of human history extended from the beginning of life on earth until part of the prophetic mission of Prophet Noah (peace be upon him). During this period, polytheism (shirk) had not yet emerged, nor had oppression and exploitation become widespread. Later, a part of human history was marked by the denial of Tawheed; that is, by the rise of polytheism. In response, Allah, in accordance with the needs of each age, sent prophets to confront these deviations and to restore humanity to its original truth; Tawheed.
A portion of human history unfolded in the West, which became predominantly tied to non-divine ideologies. Thus, Nihilism is also a part of human history.
From what has been said, the following conclusions can be drawn:
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Nihilism is the denial of divine governance; the rejection of Allah’s authority.
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The primary manifestation of nihilism appears as a historical process; that is, as a period of human forgetfulness and rebellion.
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Western history came into being through forgetfulness of the Covenant of Divine Guardianship, and it has expanded within this very horizon. Every history arises within a certain temporal condition. The history of the West, as a historical entity, began under a specific temporal atmosphere; the age of shirk, injustice, and nihilistic ignorance.
