Is Modernity Destroying the Human Mind? with Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad

[@TheThinkingMuslim]

Timstamps for the episode: 00:00 Your support is appreciated 00:55 Introduction 02:06 Abdal Hakim Murad 02:44 Why have modern humans become so emotionally fragile 04:35 Islam recognises the historiography of progressive social and spiritual decline 05:00 Western intelligentsia espouse a pessimistic view of human historical evolution 09:18 What has sapped away at the strength of character of the modern youth 11:50 Modernity seeks to abolish the innate fitrah of the human mind and psyche 14:08 How much does the modern consumerist culture contribute to the unravelling of the human mind 16:50 The modern human suffers from a deformed fitrah and is detached from his natural habitat 17:45 What is the Fitrah 21:43 Modern urban living is anti-fitrah 23:26 The more modern human lifestyles become, the more distanced they get from their fitrah 24:22 Towards an “Islamic-Modernism”? A contradiction in terms 27:42 Prescriptions Islam has for treating the malady of modernisation 31:27 The need to rediscover the transcendental nature of the prophetic sunnah as a link to the primordial self 32:48 What exactly does it mean to embrace the prophetic sunnah 34:36 The Muslim reaches heaven by going through the world 36:50 Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali’s “holy wandering” and what that means for modern living 39:30 How does Ramadan and fasting help us to navigate modernity 43:30 Ramadan gives lie to the enlightenment premise of centering the human by exposing our human fragility 47:00 Building formal institutions of learning for the development and instilling of “sunnatic” character in Muslim individuals in modern societies 54:00 There is hope yet for the Ummah of Muhammad 55:50 Muslims should learn to not panic so much 58:48 Conclusion

[@awakenthegreatnesswithin]

Jazakallahu Khairan

[@BloggingTheology]

Outstanding!

[@TheThinkingMuslim]

Jazakallah khair brother!

[@ruhmuhaccer864]

Yo its ma boi Paul from da hood. Nice to see you here fella.

[@talharizvi4075]

It is shocking how many of the major European philosophers, theorists whose writings basically built the modern world, had no family or children. Heavy hitters like Locke, Hobbes, Voltaire come to mind. Our current era is highly influenced by the abstract ideas of men that had no capability or interest in raising a family. This is important because many of them were basically formulating and abstract future world that would be inherited by others’ children, not theirs.

[@konyvnyelv.]

That's probably just the influence of Christian monkhood. Doing something great for humanity Vs living a normal family life. But that was useful to build individuality and women literacy

[@Frederick.J.Marshall]

The critical import of this piece can not be overstated. Thank you to The Thinking Muslim and, as ever, to Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad for providing a succinct, thorough and shareable narrative.

[@ahmedworldtv]

Shaykh abdal hakim murad a king of the ummah without wearing a crown a humble genius in my eyes subhan Allah

[@chaimasala2011]

I am in awe of this excellent podcast discussion on “Is Modernity Destroying Human Mind.” Let us hope that we benefit from Shaykh Abdal Hakim words of wisdom. Thank you🌷

[@veronicaguller7473]

A brilliant discussion addressing the sickness of the prevailing times we live in. A return to the true essence and meaning of a religious outlook offers hope for next generations and humanity as a whole. Thankyou so much for this contemporary enlightenment.

[@TehreemAyesha]

What a genius Abdal Hakim Murad is. His eloquence is mind blowing and his knowledge outstanding. How does one become *this* eloquent?

[@yahya105]

May the seeds of Islam be nurtured and flourish by such intelligence discourse. MashaAllah. My favourite masjid is outdoors in Allahs creation. In sadjood smelling the grass, feeling the wind or rain. Alhamdulillah for this vibrant living and ongoing baraka. Sheikh may you be gifted a long life so that the work in Cambridge becomes a beacon to new possibilities for taqwa.

[@malenedietl3369]

When sheikh Abdal Hakim said: Al hayat al fitriyya, tears just welled up in my eyes, a longing I guess....

[@maevemurdoch1123]

Excellent! Thank you for explaining the state of the modern human being. Excellent. May Allah bless you and protect you.

[@Snakejuce_]

I'm a simple man, I see an AHM vid, I click.

[@zeyad45]

What a blessing we still have men like him in such times with superior scholarship. May Allah bless and preserve. Love from India. ❤

[@aal-e-ahmadhussain3123]

He’s a national treasure, MashaAllah.

[@sahirazami4244]

One of the best podcasts of Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad. Sheer wisdom and intellectual delight. JazakAllah

[@YaBoiHakim]

Very interesting, thank you for sharing!

[@TheThinkingMuslim]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@koroglurustem1722]

Absolutely brilliant discussion, mashaAllah. To me it seems like this is the discussion where the shaikh Abdal Hakim Murad unifies all pieces of wisdom he shared elsewhere and weaves the tapestry of the modern times.

[@kamrulkhan8145]

Alhamdulillah, I am very much obsessed with Dr Murad’s lecture. I believe he is best Islamic scholar in the western world.

[@oceanmachine1906]

This interview is the most relevant thing on the internet right now

[@zeyad45]

Really glad you've invited SAHM! Please do next Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, NAK, Akram Nadvi, Shaykh Naquib Al Attas, Shaykh Imran Hossein.

[@ubaidullahsaand1864]

Thank you to Dear Shaykh & host plus this channel !

[@gcdhvf4896]

Maximum respect for the encompassing explanations of the 'fitra and destructive consumerism' , in this conversation about modernity

[@Mohammadali-cs8gi]

brilliant take on humanity and modernity

[@torontoyes]

What gives things value, has not changed, that is a constant. What has changed is the effort involved in acquiring things. Convenience diminishes value, when you remove value, you appreciate less, the less you appreciate, the less grateful you are. If you are ungrateful, you will not be satisfied. This is the first problem. Second problem is, convenience only serves desires. Desires serves the nuffs. When things are convenient, it is difficult to strengthen your will. Convenience and this modern life, kills the will, except the will to pursue wealth. If everything is convenient, you will be unfamiliar with struggle. Struggle is a crucial component, a muscle that needs to be constantly exercised. Something the modern world does not facilitate for those who feast on it's fruits. Interestingly, the one who benefits the most, are the people on the other spectrum, the poor, and each day is a struggle. They appreciate much more and typically, are more inclined to call upon their lord and appreciate every morsel of food, each and every grain of rice. The more convenient life becomes, the more grains of rice you waste, until, you find you are donating bags of clothing, throwing out entire plates of food, and are quite content with yourself and indeed, you feel you are grateful to Allah. Is it possible you are fooling yourself but are unaware?

[@Rashrash1234]

He's a great scholar of the deen, so many people are embracing Islam at his hand. Do you think he'd be a good candidate to discuss Islam with Jordan Peterson?

[@zeyad45]

+++

[@yabiggalla]

Why would he be a good candidate for the hero of Muslim male incels? I don't think SAHM should be wasting his time with him. If JP wants to talk to him, he can get in touch in a private capacity

[@ilmnaut8032]

​@@yabiggalla you mean traditional muslims? SAHM himself is a traditionalist and he wouldn't approve of your wokeism.

[@afrozzz5634]

@@ilmnaut8032 where are they being a wokeist? 🤔

[@fatimah9202]

Oh wonderful young Muslim Hold firmly to your family circle And keep in touch with the Ulamah For they are there to help you Busy yourself in learning skills Helping people And creating a bond with Allah For the idle mind Soon becomes the devil's workshop Protect your personality, your mindset Your Soul and especially, the gift of Imaan Avoid everything and everyone confusing you And distancing you, from your Lord Or your family Remember... That you are very special For you are the flag bearers of Islam The brave sailors of tomorrow And the Hope for the Ummah You cannot simply go with the flow, beloved Your ship must be strong For the winds are cruel And the waters are rough Your sails must be set, to the right direction So you reach the destination safely And take everyone Home Be mindful of Allah Who is closer to you, than your jugular vein And loves you seventy times more Than your mother May Allah bless you with knowledge and wisdom The Ilm and the Hilm from his divine treasures And protect you always Wonderful young Muslim Aameen

[@silenceisgolden3238]

Ameen Ya Rab al Alameen.

[@fire.smok3]

As always this Sheikh gives the most brilliant and eloquent insights

[@sarahwzt]

Very insightful. I love listening to this podcast. Timothy Winter is an underrated academic

[@nabaddoon8977]

Abdul Hakim Murad

[@johndrake1979]

Absolutely outstanding podcast

[@Sheen023]

The products of traditional scholarship🌹✨ Al Fathiha!

[@a4482921]

Alhamdulillah, amazing interview and brilliant podcast.

[@meetomar861]

MashAllah... brilliant and insightful discussion! May Allah SWT bless you beautiful people.

[@alib7489]

The best episode till date. I really hope your KZbin channel grows exponentially Inshaa Allah.

[@naturegirl4803]

Very illuminating thoughts.

[@bas6628]

Murad Abdul Hakim nailed it..... Very interesting and informative

[@infptrueself1275]

This man is on another wavelength.

[@erwinsmith5381]

اللهم صل على سيدنا محمد وعلى آل سيدنا محمد۞

[@DrAAAli]

It is an accurate reflection of our time that only a small percentage of our own will resonate with the incisive thinking and opinions of Br Murad.

[@NasimCanada]

Excellent lecture by Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad… maybe one of the very best. Technology may have made life much easier in many aspects but it still lacks the so called”soul” that is essential for the very contentment of the heart. Human mind cannot find satisfaction if it is not kept in its own comfortable environment of familiarity and modernity ain’t one of it .The younger generation is a prime example of those inspite of living a life of unearned excess still crave for more only to throw away and wish for more…modernity has already destroyed the human mind me think.

[@yusuffutloo1094]

No harm meant for this gem of a muslim in the person of professor MURAD.

[@rafudeenfamily9650]

Brilliant! And kudos to the interviewer as well. Very insightful questions here.

[@fatimah9202]

Jazaa kAllahu khairah

[@jabedamukith-chowdhury1681]

Such a philosophical question posed allows the mind to challenge and redefine the status quo... I absolutely love these types of thinking... We always think modernity is all good... But every advancement in the modern world has a negative reaction..jzk for being so thought provoking... Just genius!!! Masha Allah x

[@muhammadashfaque6779]

Masha Allah... Great episode.. thankyou Sheikh and thinking muslim podcast

[@farhatamin]

Excellent podcast jzk

[@malenedietl3369]

57:53 I would wish that the ummah in Denmark could be allowed to overtake one of the many empty churches here and use it as a masjid.. But no! Britain is very different, more large. I like that.

[@notyourbus]

Yes it's is answer for the subject!

[@scarfaceyam145]

Very informative.Thank you keep up the good work,ThinkingMuslim

[@shahwiqarshahin2130]

Very good podcast episode. Excellent guest.

[@Kuleto]

Gold, very nice.

[@PenangNorthamRd.]

Walk on the earth and contemplate the majesties of the earth Intention.

[@tariqhanif7676]

good quality questions; well done.

[@haledhajdari1154]

MashaAllah

[@S1985-k1s]

Wow

[@yousufcajee]

Thank you. Its always a pleasure to listen, learn and to be in the company of scholars of calibre. Could we have subtitles and the transcript please?

[@TheThinkingMuslim]

Jzk khair brother, unfortunately we do not have those produced, as we are a small team. See the first comment for detailed timestamps, which I hope will suffice insha'Allah.

[@scarfaceyam145]

Dear and respected uncle Cajee

[@adama9032]

You need to revisit this topic in studio with him with better audio

[@abdullahk8691]

Yes

[@norama3998]

سبحان الله ..قيٌض جلّ و علا عبادا مثل عبد الحكيم مراد و حمزة يوسف و صهيب ويب و و و و ..رجال من الغرب لإيقاظ أمّة في غيبوبة و منكرات فوق الخيال

[@leokir9095]

Jordan Peterson and Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad should have a dialogue in Cambridge. Their combined insights would be greatly appreciated by many, similar to the impact of the Hamza Yusuf interview. Discussing the "religion of nature" (dīn al-fiṭrah) with Jordan, especially in relation to our inherent nature and understanding of evolutionary history and archetypes, would be enlightening. They can explore the balance of psychology, spirituality, and philosophy. The points made by Shaykh Murad on 'The Nature of Nature' delving into the philosophical and psychological implications of human understanding of the self from an islamic point of view would resonate with and potentially complement Jordan's expertise, bridging any gaps in his islamic understanding of Fitra and Submission.

[@abuyaqubbeneficialplaylist6623]

The Prophet (ﷺ) has commanded to grow the beard and to shorten the moustaches. In another authentic narration (Hasan) in the book "Al-Bidayah Wan-Nihayah" of Imām ibn Kathīr, the Prophet (ﷺ) said that Allāh has Commanded to grow the beard and to shorten the moustache. The correct opinion is to cut what comes below the handful of one's fist. This was related by ibn 'Umar, ibn 'Abbās and as well as from Abū Hurayrah. A major Tabi' also narrated that the companions would cut what came below the handful. The aforementioned is the opinion of Sheikh Al-Albānī and one can relate to him for evidences.

[@iShahina]

An excellent and informative podcast which I think every person (Muslim or non) should ponder on since we are all living in a v fast paced changing world 🌎 leaving us almost lost in the midst of many ‘advancements’

[@abuyaqubbeneficialplaylist6623]

Reminder: Do not remove the children in the Masjid, praying in the rows!

[@cemalyildirim4529]

What were these sufi lodges that were closed down?

[@nasimwalji7253]

Salams and duas, can we have a contact for this noble sheikh. Thanks

[@raffatperveen3150]

Brother please don't put music in the program

[@waqstar7067]

What's the sound / music at the start?

[@sanwar2410]

21:43

[@AdamGNordin]

By your forehead hair-lock and the rememberens of the word of God you shall dine with the prophets in paradise and those with whom you choose, bismillah. Ameen.

[@munahassen4815]

Salamun alikum Please check Marvelous Quran segments urgently urgently

[@loveandotherthings1455]

What does ‘fish out of water’ indicate here?

[@divelife8220]

It just means you’re not in your natural environment. This is why walking in the woods, by the beach makes us feel better as human beings. We’re supposed to be surrounded by natural things, not surrounded by artificial constructs (be in office, malls)

[@lolalolita7050]

Why can't hear it?

[@chadgaston8615]

Trouble is that we let French revolution and its children to define modernity. Nazis claimed they were against it but Hitler for instance never legalized polygamy. Is modernity destructive force? Look around you. Does our brave new world seem like a happy place.

[@martinrea8548]

A smile is a very rare thing to see in a crowd these days, that is for sure.

[@esotericworld905]

❣️🖤❣️

[@abuyaqubbeneficialplaylist6623]

The Prophet (ﷺ) has forbidden for men to lower their garments below their ankles. The authentic Ahadīth in Sahīh Al-Bukhārī in Kitāb Al-Libās and other various Ahadīth points that whatsoever is below the ankles, is in the Hellfire. I advise myself first and the rest to abide by this brothers. May Allāh Forgive us and Grant us His Guidance. Amīn. The Prophet (ﷺ) forbade to fold clothes while praying in an authentic narration in Sunan ibn Mājah - therefore do not fold your sleeves and pray. If there is a necessity to fold the lower garment for not having them lowering to the ankles, then there is no problem.

[@haledhajdari1154]

Sickness is everywhere like the growing tide.

[@Hassan_MM.]

✅✔️

[@waqstar7067]

The Shaykh is correct re the darul looms I. E. Deobandies... Further being salafis...these guys have caused much damage with their eradication of Tassawuf. Thankfully deos are slowly seeing the light

[@yabiggalla]

His surname is spelt Winter, not Winters. Please amend your blurb.

[@TheThinkingMuslim]

Done, thanks for the correction

[@Andulusia]

Back to the future

[@adminomhfoz1908]

improve audio quality

[@theheatshow8324]

I don’t find that beauty in an non Islamic nation I would say

[@Zain_Passing_By]

Ad rage

[@theheatshow8324]

I find it weird finding “white sheiks” in dominant let’s say Somali masjid I find that difficult to understand not hating though

[@theheatshow8324]

But I’m not bothered

[@theheatshow8324]

More of the question I would rather say is “what are you doing here”

[@abuyaqubbeneficialplaylist6623]

Music is Harām and all of their instruments are Harām according to the clear Hadīth in Sahīh Al-Bukhārī. It is also deemed Harām in the Qur'ān according to the interpretation of the Sahābah of certain verses. The duff is only to be played in three occasions. In the wedding. After one's returning from a journey out of joy and on 'Eīd. Apart from this is Harām and only the women can beat them, for the men are prohibited to do so as it is an act in which the men would be imitating them.

[@NameLenovo]

Problem is only an modernist idiot conflates hadith literally with fiqh

[@NameLenovo]

It's not haram it's an iktilaaf and nuanced issue and duff is an instrument so your own fiqh has a clear contradiction in the first line donut

[@hassanmirza2392]

Some aspects of Islamic tradition are also destroying Muslims, we should be more self-critical.

[@irritatedbear9383]

Interesting claim. Which traditions do you consider problematic?

[@hassanmirza2392]

@@irritatedbear9383 Blasphemy and apostasy laws, 2nd coming of Christ and Mahdi in Hadith literature.

[@theheatshow8324]

Wrong I think we as Muslims are deprived of having relationships

[@laeequenadvi4746]

EXPANDING UNIVERSE.MENTIONED IN HOLY QUR'AN 1500 YEARS AGO ALMIGHTY ALLAH THE ORIGINATOR TO THE UNIVERSE AND CREATOR OF THE MANKIND Who can claim 1350 years ago that the universe is expending? والسماء بنينها بايد و انا لموسعون o " And the heaven We built it with power, and indeed, We are the expander " (And We it is Who make the vast extent, thereof ) (Qur'an, 51:47) Until 1931, physicist Albert Einstein believed that the universe was static. An urban legend attributes this change of perspective to when American astronomer Edwin Hubble showed Einstein his observations of redshift in the light emitted by far away nebulae - today known as galaxies. After Hubble discovered that the universe was expanding, Einstein called the cosmological constant his "greatest blunder." At around the same time, larger telescopes were being built that were able to accurately measure the spectra, or the intensity of light as a function of wavelength, of faint objects. Almighty Allah is the Creator of the whole universe.He says: Should He not know what He created? And He is the Subtile, the Aware. The knowledge of scientists is very limited and insufficient to understand the universe! ! Recently NASA launched JWST. This telescope will see the beginning of the universe and how it evolved. Today the scientists accepted that they know very little about the universe. DR.MOHAMMAD LAEEQUE NADVI Ph.D. (Arabic Lit.) M.A. Arabic Lit. Director Amena Institute of Islamic Studies & Analysis A Global & Universal Research Institute Donate to promote this Institute SBI A/C30029616117 Kolkata , Park Circus Branch [e-mail] Thanks

[@ZubairAhmed-od2xv]

No . Not modernity,but rather , the heathen.

[@musabqureshi242]

This speaker is a Sufi. A H Murad or T J Winter has pumped Sufism into Cambridge for decades. Inalilahi wa ina ilayhi raji'oon. He will carry the weight of this on the Day of Judgement.

[@scarfaceyam145]

Have you studied Tasawwuf?

[@AdilKhan-hb9tq]

Lmaooo shaykh himself looking modern 🤣

[@TajamalGhumman]

@Free Palestine 🇵🇸 he suppose to look like a traditional Arab or south asian muslim not British Muslim which he is lolz

[@maciekkochanowicz7015]

Grumbling, whimpering and lamenting poor old man. "Oh, all is going in the wrong direction and the world was better in the old good days." May Allah have compassion for him.

[@PaulSmith-wz2xv]

Islam has certainly destroyed this brilliant man’s mind because Faith is pretending to know what you cannot know. Salaam.

[@PaulSmith-wz2xv]

@Free Palestine 🇵🇸 Creationism is a scientifically disproven obsolete hypothesis and only incurious humans would continue to promote Creationism at a time when all the information you need to disprove it is freely available.

[@TajamalGhumman]

No one believe that this man's mind is destroyed but everyone will laugh at your childish comment

[@Hawksby]

Lol 😂

[@PaulSmith-wz2xv]

@@TajamalGhumman Try this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5vbhIKjbct1qc0

[@Danko_Sekulic]

If his mind is "destroyed", then i would love to volunteer my own mind for that kind of "destruction"!

[@anshuraj4277]

Go to afgan caves

[@Hornscope]

He himself destroying Islam through his wishywashing beliefs, such as, mixing sufism with islam

[@mohdanas3863]

What is really destroying Islam is salafism/wahabism. Shaykh represents traditional Sunni Islam rather than deviants like salafis and Shias.

[@Hornscope]

@@mohdanas3863 obviously you hate salifism and Wahabism, coz they're the ones reviving the Sunnah of propjet pbuh

[@saimbhat6243]

No, it is the delusional wahabi salafists who have audacity to negative 1400 year old traditions of islam, their narcissism to deny debatibility of any opposition to their views and their craziness to go around and takfiring fellow muslims and murdering people.

[@zmanclan5795]

@@mohdanas3863 Most of the branches within Sunni Islam have destroyed Islam. Most of the extremist interpretations and radical inclinations and Islamic terrorist doctrines stem from within the Sunni branches. A fact like this doesn't necessitate the proposition that Sunni Islam is deviant or Sunnis are the problem or extremist. However, calling Shias or other Sects deviant is a poor Ad Hominem as majority of Sunnis are also below par and deplorable. Set your own house in order and then label others. Blaming others won't fix the problems of the Muslim world. We're one Ummah and we're all to blame, no one sect has superiority over the other. The Muslim world needs to build bridges and reduce sectarianism but a public comment from an ignorant like you fuels such ignorance and sectarian war and blame game.

[@trinitymatrix9719]

abdal hakim would look so much better without the silly forced beard and mustache..lol

[@ilmnaut8032]

no

[@saimbhat6243]

He is having it to please his god, and not you. Your definitions of beauty doesn't matter. What if you were born with a deformed face and there was no science of plastic surgery, would it have been just to consider you ugly since birth and negative your equality in humanity. The modern humans are so shallow that shallowness is considered a norm and not being shallow is considered as "silly".

[@trinitymatrix9719]

where in quran allah says u gonna burn in hell if u dont let beard grow? Please give me ayat. Thanks for ur time and god bless...

[@saimbhat6243]

@@trinitymatrix9719 He is following sunnah. What kind of muslim are you? Lol

[@almurabitun]

We need these in video format

[@orindoen8592]

Jesus Christ Is TheHoly Spirit And Word/Verses in TheForm Huaman Child🙏Jesus Christ God Is SAVIOR For Mankind in TheWorld🙏Amen

[@orindoen8592]

Jesus Christ Is TheHoly Spirit And Word/Verses in TheForm Huaman Child🙏Jesus Christ Is JHVH.Messiah.King And Father Of Heaven🙏Amen

[@orindoen8592]

WORSHIPER God Of👍ISRAEL"S Nation👍/JHVH/Messiah Or Jesus Christ God Is WAY And TRUTH And LIFE Is CHRISTIAN🙏