– Enam ur Rahman (M.Sc. Botany, AMU), Zain Ahmad (B.Sc., AMU)
On this topic, the first question we need to answer is whether there is any real difference between humanism and Islam. And if there is a difference, which one is better for our lives? At this point, we should also ask ourselves another question: could it be possible that humanism, compared to Islam, is leading us toward disbelief? This question is important because many intellectuals, seeing some of the moral claims of humanism, fail to recognize the disbelief and atheism hidden behind it. As a result, humanism easily finds its way into religious circles.
In this article, we will explore what humanism is, what beliefs are necessary to be a humanist and try to analyse the kind of life and society humanism has created. We will also examine which perspective—humanism or Islam—is better suited for the modern age of science and technology.
What do we mean by “Human”?
We must have heard or read at some point in our lives that before being Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, or Christians, we are all humans. We have also heard the accusation that asks why we keep viewing people as believers or non-believers. Some say we should move beyond this and focus on the fact that the world has advanced, while we remain stuck in the same place. They argue that it doesn’t matter whether someone is a believer or a non-believer, a Sikh or a Christian; what matters is progress. If we have to divide the world, let’s do so between developed and underdeveloped nations. At least this would seem more reasonable, and no one would disagree with us. This would lead to a prosperous life.
They ask, “Can’t you see how far the West has advanced? Look at their achievements in science and technology.” It seems as though someone is trying to convince us that if we just accept their views, all the successes of the world will be at our feet. The only thing left is for us to accept everything they say. However, we should pause and ask them a small question: are they saying that religion is the reason we haven’t progressed? And if we want to move forward, do we need to put religion aside? At first, they will be unwilling to give the answer. Even if they answer, they will simply say that religion is a personal matter and has nothing to do with science and advancing technology.
My dear friends, every false ideology tries to show us a bright future and wants us to abandon the one which is dearer to us than our own souls. A humanist, pretending to be our well-wisher, wants us to deny God and everything that has any connection to religion. Many of us misunderstood this point when “Human Rights” were translated as “Insani Huqooq”. However, human rights only apply to those who follow the ideology of humanism.
Let’s understand what humanism is by asking a humanist. Jack Grassby, in his book “Postmodern Humanism,” describes it like this: “The foundation of humanism begins with the belief that there is no God, no soul, and no supernatural force that we need to reach out to. There is no unseen power to guide us, inform us, or help us live a peaceful life. “Julian Huxley, the former president of the British Humanist Association, wrote in his book “Man in the Modern World” that ignorance and humility are what make humans bow before God. After gaining knowledge and understanding, humans no longer feel the need to think about God. Now, humans see themselves as their own God.
These two examples make it clear that humanists are inviting us to deny God. Every ideology has some good points. But we shouldn’t decide whether it’s good or bad for living based only on a few good things. We must look at the overall message of the ideology, the kind of life it promotes, and most importantly, we should ask who is presenting this ideology and what kind of life and society its followers have built.
Isn’t Humanism a form of Atheism?
Humanism’s Seven Basic Points:
Humanism is a philosophy or system of thought that emphasizes the value and agency of human beings, individually and collectively. The following seven points are fundamental to humanist beliefs, based on Stephen Law’s book Humanism:
1. Science and Reason: Humanists believe that all aspects of life should be examined through the lens of science and reason. They hold that no belief system or thought process should be above rational scrutiny.
2. Atheism or Agnosticism: Humanists are generally atheists or, at the very least, agnostic. They are sceptical about the existence of God, as well as about angels, demons, and other supernatural beings.
To check how far these two approaches are correct, let’s consider an example where renowned researchers examined specific phenomena:
Linus Pauling, a prominent atheist and chemist, proposed a triple helix model for DNA, suggesting three intertwined strands with outward-facing bases. He was confident in this model, considering his expertise and the available data. Later, the triple helix was debunked in 1953 when James Watson and Francis Crick, using Rosalind Franklin’s X-ray data, revealed DNA’s actual structure as a double helix, with two complementary strands, bases inside, and a sugar-phosphate backbone on the outside.
This is just one of many examples that highlight that in scientific research, an old theory can be entirely replaced by a new one, sometimes with completely opposite conclusions. This is especially significant when theories are used to challenge the existence of God. What if a new theory emerges later, disproving the previous one? It shows that when even material objects, which can be quantitatively and qualitatively analysed, are misunderstood by science, how reliable is it to trust human intellect alone when judging the existence of Allah ﷻ?
Some might argue that the scientific method should be used to prove the existence of God. But first, what is a scientific method? A scientific method involves making conjectures (hypothetical explanations), deriving predictions from these hypotheses as logical consequences, and then carrying out experiments or observations based on those predictions. A scientific hypothesis is falsifiable, meaning it should be possible to identify an outcome that contradicts the predictions. If it’s not, the hypothesis cannot be meaningfully tested.
However, the Quran had already addressed this question clearly a long time ago:
“They are those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth and pray, ‘Our Lord! You have not created all this without purpose. Glory be to You! Protect us from the torment of the Fire.’” (Qur’an 3:191)
The Quran emphasizes reflection on the creation of the heavens and the earth, indicating that careful observation and right conclusions lead one to recognize the existence of a Creator. What science might call an “exceptional case” is, in fact, a special case that supports the correlated phenomenon.
To be more practical, researchers who have observed deeply and with sincerity have often been compelled to acknowledge the existence of a Creator. For example, Canadian anatomist and embryologist Keith L. Moore, after studying the embryological descriptions in the Quran, was struck by their accuracy. His work in embryology and his engagement with Islamic scholars significantly influenced his perspective on Islam.
Thus, the Quran emphasizes keen observation and drawing correct conclusions, suggesting that sincere study and reflection naturally lead to the recognition of a higher power.
The Qur’an had revealed a lot of scientific discoveries 14 centuries ago
3. Humanists hold the belief that life is limited to this world alone and that this life should be enjoyed to its fullest. They adhere to the philosophy of ‘seizing as much luxury as possible because this world won’t come again’. According to humanists, Heaven and Hell are mere illusions, and this way of thinking is a natural outcome of applying rational scrutiny as the standard for a belief system. However, as research progresses and the moral conditions of society rapidly change, the relevance of the afterlife in human life is becoming increasingly significant in today’s modern world. To understand this better, consider the consequences of not believing in the afterlife. A person naturally develops a self-centered and selfish psychology, though its intensity may vary depending on their desire to attain worldly pleasures. When someone believes that this life is the only one that matters, they are less likely to squander it and more inclined to enjoy it fully, using all their resources for that purpose.
This raises a question: why do we see some people who don’t believe in the afterlife still engage in charitable acts, maintain honesty, and follow discipline? What need is there for the concept of the afterlife if such goodness exists without it? But the real question is, how long will these good traits last among those who deny the afterlife, and what is the actual level of this goodness? These are critical questions to explore through examples. For instance, consider a top student preparing for an entrance exam with utmost honesty. During the exam, this student gets an opportunity to confirm answers with a fellow student. What, at that moment, will stop this student from cheating, knowing full well that a single mistake could prevent them from securing their dream spot among millions of competitors? Practically speaking, most students would see this as an opportunity. But another student, who firmly believes that they will one day be held accountable for all their actions, would refuse to cheat, even if the entire book were placed before them, because they believe their disobedience would displease God.
4. Humanists believe in the importance of moral values and argue that ethics should be based on what truly benefits humanity and improves worldly life. They reject the notion that morality can exist without a god or that we can be good without a god or religion. However, they also argue that morality can be based on other things besides religion and belief—this presents a hypocritical, paradoxical dilemma.
5. Humanists assert that it is our individual responsibility to determine our own moral concepts rather than assigning this responsibility to an external entity like God or religion.
6. They also claim that our lives can be meaningful even without the intervention of God, citing the lives of individuals like Pablo Picasso and Einstein as examples of lives rich in meaning, irrespective of whether God exists or not.
Where do we derive morality from if not from Religion?
These points raise several questions: If moral values are not derived from religion, then on what basis will these values be established, and how credible is that basis? How will the ‘pleasing of humanity’ be determined? How will accepted moral values be implemented, and what punishments will be imposed on those who do not adhere to these values? Who will enforce these punishments? And will these values remain consistent across different times and places, given that every region has its own cultural and moral history that inevitably influences the present?
Let’s try to understand the true reality and practicality of these humanist points with an example: In early December 1933, the United States formally repealed the Prohibition Law after nearly fourteen years, allowing the sale and consumption of alcohol once again. Despite extensive efforts by groups like the Anti-Saloon League to raise awareness about the dangers of alcohol, spending millions on propaganda and enforcing laws, the law ultimately failed due to the public’s unwillingness to give up alcohol. Even though the dangers of alcohol were well-established, the American public insisted on making it legal again. In contrast, when Islam prohibited alcohol, the response from its followers was immediate and decisive. People who once cherished alcohol suddenly turned against it, breaking their liquor containers upon hearing the prohibition announcement. This contrast shows the effectiveness of divine law in comparison to human law. There is a disconnect between the thought and practice of Humanism, and a contradiction between its words and actions. The intellectual agenda of the Humanist movement is one thing, while the practical application of Humanism in society is something else entirely. Even though humanists often exhibit virtues such as honesty, respect for individual freedom, and care for the vulnerable, they also possess moral shortcomings. For example, they may treat their parents poorly, engage in sexual immorality, or indulge in intoxication. Their moral standards may also differ when dealing with their own people versus others, especially when nationalism is involved.
7. Humanists are secular and aspire to create a democratic society where the state remains neutral on religious matters, granting individuals freedom to hold religious or atheistic beliefs and express them freely.
However, when it comes to practicality, there hasn’t been a single place where secular democracy has been successfully implemented as envisioned by its proponents. Ideally, countries where human rights are suppressed, such as those ruled by a single family, should be boycotted. But the reality is different—demands for democracy are often ignored, especially in regions where the outcomes may not align with certain interests. For instance, in countries where Islamic parties have come to power through democratic elections, military coups have often been orchestrated, with the world remaining silent or even supporting the military regimes. The events in Egypt are a well-known example of this.
In conclusion, while humanism advocates for moral values and secularism, its practical application often reveals a gap between ideals and reality. Many humanist beliefs, upon close examination, show contradictions and limitations, especially compared to Islamic teachings. Though humanism claims to uphold human dignity, it lacks a comprehensive framework to address deeper moral and spiritual needs. Islam, on the other hand, provides a holistic approach, balancing progress with spiritual fulfilment, guided by a moral compass beyond human limitations. Ultimately, the question remains: Is humanism truly a better alternative to Islam? While it offers some appealing ideas, its practical implementation and inherent contradictions suggest that it is not equipped to fully address the complex realities of human life.
