Lost - Healing Society

The Way of Adab

Introduction: Our Way

In studying what makes societies strong and enduring, I came across an eye-opening study by Richard Blan, a professor of anthropology at Peru University. Blan examined thirty premodern societies and discovered something surprising: even societies with fair and just governments were not safe from sudden decline and collapse. In fact, these well-governed societies sometimes fell apart even faster than those ruled by harsh leaders.

This finding is deeply connected to the main theme of this book, "Our Way." Blan's research shows that good governance alone isn't enough to keep a society stable. The key issue was that the leaders of these societies failed to maintain the social bonds and moral values that held their communities together. Even though the governments were fair, the lack of strong moral foundations led to their downfall.

Supporting Blan's insights, the Muslim poet Ahmed Shawqy wisely said, "Nations are by their manners." He highlighted that the future of any nation depends on its morals and manners. When a nation's moral values decline, so does its civilization. Today, we live in a world where technology is advancing rapidly. Computers are faster, phones are smarter, and gadgets are more advanced than ever. However, these technological improvements have not led to better moral standards or improved human behavior. In fact, there seems to be a decline in how people treat each other and uphold ethical values. This raises an important question: Why hasn't technological progress led to moral progress?

To explore this question further, I turned to Paul Kingsnorth's article, "The West Has Lost Its Virtue: We Have Abandoned the Taboos That Held Us Together." Kingsnorth argues that the West is facing a significant moral and cultural decline. He refers to Oswald Spengler's prediction in The Decline of the West, where Spengler foresaw not just a decline but a complete breakdown of Western civilization.

Kingsnorth points out that the Christian church used to be the main unifying force in Western society, influencing everything from work ethics and taxes to family values and sexual morality. However, he believes that Christendom no longer plays this central role, leaving a moral void that causes societal instability. Without the guiding principles of religion, societies struggle with basic questions of right and wrong, leading to confusion and moral chaos.

When a culture based on a sacred order starts to weaken, it creates an empty space that various ideologies and cultures try to fill. Kingsnorth notes that this vacuum allows different beliefs and values to compete for dominance, often without a clear moral direction. This is what we see in the West today, where the absence of a strong moral authority like the Christian church has resulted in mixed and often conflicting values.

Philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre, as quoted by Kingsnorth, explains that without a connection to God, human life loses its meaning, and virtues lose their importance. "If human life is made meaningless, if you as a human being now have no meaning connected to God, you are just an earthly being, then there is no accountability, and what is the meaning of virtue? What is the meaning of morality? None of these things mean anything anymore when you remove God from the equation." This view highlights how fragile morality can be without a higher purpose or accountability, leading to societal instability.

An example of this can be seen in Polynesia. English seamen visiting Polynesia found that while there were moral rules in place, the reasons behind them had been forgotten. Promiscuity and adultery were common, yet there was a strange rule that men and women could not eat together. When asked why, the Polynesians could only say, "It's just taboo," without a clear explanation. This shows how rules without understanding can lead to moral decay.

In contrast to the decline seen in the West, Islam places great importance on adab—mannerisms and ethical behavior. Adab involves behaving in a praiseworthy way in both speech and actions. It's not just about being polite or having good manners; it's about building a character that aligns with divine principles and promotes harmony in society. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized that those with the best character are closest to him on the Day of Judgment, equating good manners to acts of worship like prayer and fasting.

Adab is essential in every aspect of a Muslim's life, from interactions with Allah and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to dealings with others and self-improvement. This focus on ethical behavior stands in stark contrast to the fragmented moral landscape observed in the West. The decline in Western morality presents an opportunity for cultures and civilizations with strong ethical standards to offer alternatives. As Muslims, we have a unique chance to demonstrate our religion through our adab, showing how our mannerisms can fill the moral gap left by declining Western virtues. By practicing adab in our daily lives, we not only improve our own character but also contribute to the betterment of society.

"Our Way" begins this journey to explore the different aspects of adab and its crucial role in building a strong and virtuous community. We will examine four levels of adab:

Adab Towards Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala

Adab Towards the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)

Adab Towards Creation

Adab Towards Oneself

Each of these levels will provide practical insights on how we can incorporate these manners into our daily lives, ensuring that our actions reflect divine expectations and positively impact our communities.

As we navigate the complexities of our modern world, understanding and practicing adab gives us the tools needed to rebuild and maintain a society based on strong moral values and ethical behavior. This introduction sets the foundation for a deeper exploration of how adab can transform our personal lives and the larger societal structures we are part of. Join us on this journey as we discover "Our Way" towards a more virtuous and harmonious existence.