The Influence of Social Movements on Individual and Community Behavior

 The Influence of Social Movements on Individual and Community Behavior

"Nations endure only as long as they uphold moral values... When morals are forsaken, they face inevitable decline.

Your well-being is contingent upon moral integrity... Therefore, nurture the soul with ethics, and it will find its rightful path.

When individuals suffer from moral decay... It is appropriate to grieve and lament their condition."

Ahmed Shawqi, the Prince of Poets

 

Morality encompasses the values and principles that govern individual behavior in relation to society, establishing the framework for interactions among individuals and between societies. It plays a crucial role in determining the resilience of a community and its capacity to adapt and thrive amidst various challenges, whether they arise from within or outside. The health of any human society is intrinsically linked to the well-being or disintegration of its fundamental units, namely the family, which serves as the primary environment for moral education and the formation of conscience. Thus, the strength and stability of a society can be assessed by the moral standards it upholds and the unity of its familial structures.

 

In recent decades, however, numerous social movements have emerged, each seeking to alter the foundational principles governing family dynamics, thereby influencing individual behavior and effecting societal change. These movements promote a lifestyle that diminishes the significance of the family unit, fostering a society composed of autonomous individuals. This shift undermines the sense of familial belonging, facilitating the manipulation and control of a populace whose focus is predominantly self-centered, with personal gratification as the primary objective of existence.

 

These movements infiltrate the fabric of society by advocating for the defense of social rights and the establishment of new norms that appear to reflect a progressive shift in human behavior, thereby encouraging individuals to accept and engage with them as if they were inherently valid. However, the reality is that these movements aim to undermine the traditional family structure and reshape society into one characterized by hedonism, instinctual behavior, self-interest, and consumerism. The societal issues at hand predominantly focus on personal liberties and the fulfillment of sexual desires, as well as the dynamics between men and women, which are being redefined into a framework of competition and hostility rather than cooperation. Furthermore, the notion of women's autonomy over their bodies does not lead to an improved status for women; instead, it paves the way for the proliferation of moral decay under the guise of freedom.

 

 The movements in question do not appear to arise organically from the evolution of human thought, nor do they stem from a genuine pursuit of the public interest that benefits society as a whole. Instead, they are orchestrated initiatives that are deliberately advanced, imposing their ideologies without permitting any discourse on the implications and consequences of embracing such trends within society. It seems as though an unseen force is propelling this movement, rather than a collective will rooted in societal recognition of its significance and merit. This force aims to alter the foundational principles of the family, substituting them with a lifestyle that venerates what is termed individual freedom. Consequently, proponents of this trend often exhibit hostility towards established values, particularly religious ones, dismissing them as relics of the past that conflict with the evolution of societal lifestyles. They resort to intimidation and coercion against those who oppose these movements. The milieu that fosters these or similar contemporary calls is predominantly found in Western societies, which lack a stable moral compass and clear criteria for determining the path to righteousness and the common good. Moreover, the effects of movements that alter social principles are not immediately apparent; it may take years for the repercussions of adopting these ideas to manifest in future generations. Once society recognizes that these movements have failed to promote the public good, it becomes evident that neither individuals nor society as a whole benefited, but rather a select group that exploited these movements for material gain, manipulating the inclinations and needs of a susceptible populace. Rectifying this trajectory may necessitate considerable effort and time

 

The genuine influence of the moral dimension on societies is particularly evident when Western societies attempt to introduce their movements into Muslim societies, which regard the teachings of Islam as a definitive and unwavering foundation for the values, principles, and ethics that govern their communities. This foundation is one that is challenging to question or alter. Islamic society is characterized by its laws and regulations derived from the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet, fostering a community united by a singular belief, irrespective of the diversity in races and ethnic backgrounds. This society upholds the dignity of the individual while striving for the collective good. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, stated: "The example of the believers in their mutual love and mercy is like that of a single body. If one part of it is ill, the rest of the body responds to it with wakefulness and fever."

 

Islam places great emphasis on fortifying societal bonds and elevating the role of the family, recognizing its significance in the construction of society. Human beings are inherently social creatures, existing within interconnected communities rather than as isolated individuals driven solely by personal desires and self-interest. The Lord of the Worlds has established social responsibilities to reinforce these bonds, such as honouring and obeying parents, respecting the elderly, showing compassion to the young, maintaining family ties, being considerate to neighbours, and discouraging aggressive behaviour among individuals. Furthermore, individuals are nurtured to embody good morals, as the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, remarked: "The most beloved of you to me and the closest to me in assembly on the Day of Resurrection will be the best of you in morals" [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi].

 

The text also established the groundwork for the relationship between men and women, emphasizing affection and compassion, while delineating the respective duties and rights of each party. Proponents of various movements have resorted to criticizing Islamic values, labeling them as outdated and regressive, asserting that such ideologies are incompatible with contemporary society. Despite these efforts, they have failed to persuade adherents of Islam to renounce their beliefs in favor of the social movements they advocate. Subsequently, the approach shifted to an internal assault, wherein individuals masquerading as Muslims sought to reformulate concepts and modernize Islamic thought by casting doubt on traditional heritage and fostering discord that undermines faith, thereby allowing harmful ideas to permeate society.

 

What is particularly remarkable is the resilience of the Islamic faith in countering these persistent attempts, which have evolved over decades and employed various innovative strategies. None of these efforts have succeeded in altering the core tenets of the religion, which continues to serve as a bulwark against the proliferation of these dubious social movements. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that the Islamic faith has managed to penetrate these societies and resonate with individuals who have embraced such ideas. It appears that Islam possesses the capacity to unveil the realities of these social movements, remaining impervious to challenges posed by a belief system grounded in the principles of monotheism, societal solidarity, justice, and moral conduct, as well as the promotion of good and the prohibition of evil. These foundational principles are timeless and remain unaffected by the passage of time or the evolution of human societies.

 

The Almighty God declared: "You are the most exemplary nation raised for humanity. You advocate for righteousness and prohibit wrongdoing, and you have faith in God. Had the People of the Scripture embraced belief, it would have been more advantageous for them. While there are believers among them, the majority persist in their defiance." [Al Imran: 110]