From Nietzsche to Tawhid: Reclaiming Meaning, Morality, and Purpose in an Age of Secular Thought

 

By: Salim Mohamed Badat

Every civilization is shaped by its philosophical foundations, and these influences permeate every aspect of life from education and governance to culture and morality.

In our time, Western civilization dominates global discourse, shaping the intellectual and ideological landscape. To engage with this reality effectively, we must first understand its proponents, themes, and underlying intentions. Only then can we offer a well-grounded Islamic alternative.

This approach is not new. Imam Al-Ghazali, one of the greatest Islamic scholars, first immersed himself in Greek philosophy before writing The Incoherence of the Philosophers, a decisive critique that countered its ideas from an Islamic perspective. His work demonstrated that to refute an ideology effectively, one must first master it.

Similarly, Islamic scholarship today must equip itself with a deep understanding of Western thought to respond to it with intellectual rigor.

Islamic institutions, both in South Africa and globally, should integrate this study into their curricula. This would empower graduates with the tools to engage in academic discourse and counter prevailing philosophical influences.

Currently, our youth in secondary and tertiary institutions are being exposed to these themes without adequate preparation, leaving them vulnerable to ideologies that challenge their faith and identity.

It is a battle for the hearts and minds of our youth one that cannot be fought with rhetoric alone. Our scholars must first learn these philosophical currents and then impart their knowledge effectively.

A prime example of this is Friedrich Nietzsche’s book Thus Spoke Zarathustra, a seminal work that presents his existential philosophy. Nietzsche’s ideas challenge traditional moral structures and the belief in divine guidance. In response, Islamic philosophy offers a counter narrative rooted in Tawhid (the Oneness of God), divine purpose, and moral accountability.

Islamic philosophy and the Quranic worldview present responses to Nietzsche’s existential ideas, offering an alternative perspective grounded in the belief in God (Tawhid), divine guidance, and the inherent purpose of human life as described in Islamic teachings.

Below is an overview of the Islamic response to Nietzsche’s key existential ideas across various themes, along with prominent Muslim philosophers and scholars who have engaged with such topics.

Secularism

Nietzsche’s View: Nietzsche argued that the “death of God” marked the end of religious authority and the rise of secularism, where humans are responsible for creating their own values without reliance on divine guidance.

Islamic Response: In the Islamic worldview, Tawhid (the Oneness of God) is central to existence, and religion permeates all aspects of life. Islam does not separate the sacred from the secular, and instead offers a holistic way of life where all actions, personal and societal, should align with divine will.

In the Quran, the role of human beings is seen as khalifah (stewards or vicegerents of God) on Earth, with a moral and spiritual responsibility to uphold justice and follow divine guidance.

Muslim Scholars: Thinkers like Sayyid Qutb and Abul Ala Maududi strongly critiqued secularism, emphasizing that a society devoid of divine guidance leads to moral decay. They argued for the integration of faith in all aspects of governance and personal conduct, in line with Islamic principles.

Existentialism and the Quest for Meaning.

Nietzsche’s View: Existentialism, especially in Nietzsche’s thought, suggests that life is inherently meaningless, and it is the individual’s responsibility to create their own meaning and values.

Islamic Response: The Quranic worldview asserts that life has an inherent divine purpose, which is to worship God and live in accordance with His guidance (Quran 51:56).

The quest for meaning is fulfilled by recognizing one’s role in the larger divine plan and adhering to moral and spiritual responsibilities. Islam emphasizes the afterlife and the ultimate accountability to God, which provides an overarching framework for understanding life’s meaning.

Muslim Scholars: Al-Ghazali and Ibn Arabi focused on the inner quest for meaning through spirituality, Sufism, and self-purification. They argued that true meaning is found in spiritual realization and closeness to God, rather than in subjective, individual constructs.

Individualism and Self-Determination.

Nietzsche’s View: Nietzsche celebrated the idea of the Ubermensch (Overman), who transcends societal norms and creates his own values. He rejected “herd morality” and promoted radical individualism.

Islamic Response: Islam emphasizes the balance between individual rights and community obligations. While individuals have free will, they are also bound by divine moral guidelines that prioritize social justice, compassion, and the well-being of the community (ummah).

Self-determination in Islam is not about creating one’s own values, but about submitting to God’s will, which leads to spiritual and moral excellence.

Muslim Scholars: Al-Farabi and Ibn Khaldun argued for the importance of the community and the role of individuals as part of a greater social and spiritual order. They critiqued radical individualism, instead promoting virtuous leadership and social harmony in line with divine principles.

Postmodernism and the Critique of Objective Truth.

Nietzsche’s View: Nietzsche’s critique of objective truth, further developed by postmodernists, suggests that truth is relative and constructed through power dynamics and social contexts.

Islamic Response: In Islam, truth (Haqq) is not relative but objective and rooted in God’s revelation. The Quran is seen as the ultimate source of truth, providing guidance for all aspects of life. While human interpretations may vary, the existence of an objective moral and metaphysical truth is central to Islamic theology.

The relativism of postmodernism is seen as undermining the coherence of divine law and moral certainty.

Muslim Scholars: Al-Ghazali critiqued philosophical skepticism by emphasizing certainty in faith and the importance of divine revelation as the ultimate source of knowledge. His works directly address the dangers of relativism and skepticism in undermining moral and spiritual stability.

The Will to Power and Political Ideologies

Nietzsche’s View: Nietzsche’s concept of the will to power reflects the human drive for mastery, dominance, and self-overcoming. It rejects conventional moral constraints in favor of self-assertion.

Islamic Response: Islam teaches that power and authority must be exercised in accordance with divine justice and mercy. The Quran emphasizes humility, service to others, and the responsibility of leadership as a trust (amanah) from God. Power is seen as a means of upholding justice and promoting the common good, not for self-aggrandizement.

Muslim Scholars: Imam Ali (RA) is often cited for his views on leadership and justice, emphasizing that power should be used for the service of humanity and upholding divine justice. Ibn Khaldun, in his Muqaddimah, argued for ethical governance and the dangers of unchecked power and tyranny.

Psychology and Self-Realization

Nietzsche’s View: Nietzsche emphasized self-realization through self-overcoming, rejecting external moral systems in favor of self-created values.

Islamic Response: Islamic psychology emphasizes nafs (the self or soul) and its purification through submission to God’s will. Self-realization in Islam is about aligning oneself with divine guidance, overcoming the lower desires and attaining spiritual purity.

The Quranic model of self-realization leads to inner peace and contentment through closeness to God.

Muslim Scholars: Ibn Arabi and Al-Ghazali both developed profound psychological and spiritual models, emphasizing the purification of the soul and the journey toward self-realization through spirituality and moral discipline.

Art, Literature, and Modern Culture

Nietzsche’s View: Nietzsche saw art as a means of expressing human creativity, individuality, and the rejection of conventional norms. He valued art’s role in helping individuals confront the chaos and absurdity of existence.

Islamic Response: In the Islamic tradition, art and literature are often seen as expressions of divine beauty and a means of spiritual reflection. Islamic art, such as calligraphy and architecture, is deeply tied to spiritual and moral values, and art is seen as a means of elevating the soul, rather than a purely individualistic pursuit.

The balance between aesthetic expression and adherence to moral and spiritual principles is emphasized.

Muslim Scholars: Rumi and Al-Farabi discussed the role of art and music in spiritual development. Rumi’s poetry, for example, is a profound reflection on the beauty of God’s creation and the journey of the soul.

Moral Relativism and the Challenge to Universal Ethics

Nietzsche’s View: Nietzsche rejected universal moral values, advocating for moral relativism, where individuals create their own values based on their personal will and context.

Islamic Response: Islam firmly rejects moral relativism, asserting that God’s laws, as revealed in the Quran, provide a universal ethical framework applicable to all times and places. The idea of moral relativism is seen as undermining the coherence of divine law and leading to moral chaos. In Islam, there are clear moral guidelines that establish justice, mercy, and compassion as universal principles.

Muslim Scholars: Al-Ghazali argued against moral relativism, emphasizing that divine law provides clear guidance for all aspects of human behavior and that objective moral truths are rooted in God’s revelation.

Moral Relativism and the Challenge to Universal Ethics

Nietzsche’s View: Nietzsche rejected universal moral values, advocating for moral relativism, where individuals create their own values based on their personal will and context.

Islamic Response: Islam firmly rejects moral relativism, asserting that God’s laws, as revealed in the Quran, provide a universal ethical framework applicable to all times and places. The idea of moral relativism is seen as undermining the coherence of divine law and leading to moral chaos. In Islam, there are clear moral guidelines that establish justice, mercy, and compassion as universal principles.

Muslim Scholars: Al-Ghazali argued against moral relativism, emphasizing that divine law provides clear guidance for all aspects of human behavior and that objective moral truths are rooted in God’s revelation.

Islamic Philosophers and Schools .

Engaging with Nietzschean Themes.

Several Muslim scholars and schools of thought have engaged with themes related to Nietzschean philosophy, offering critiques based on Islamic teachings:

Al-Ghazali (1058–1111): His works on theology, psychology, and the philosophy of ethics provide a robust framework for critiquing moral relativism, skepticism, and secularism.

Sayyid Qutb (1906–1966) and Maududi (1903–1979): Both thinkers developed critiques of secularism and modernity, emphasizing the need for divine guidance in public and private life.

Iqbal (1877–1938): The poet-philosopher Muhammad Iqbal is particularly notable for engaging directly with Nietzschean themes. He critiqued Nietzsche’s existentialism, especially the concept of the Ubermensch, while promoting a more spiritual and theocentric view of human self-realization within the Islamic framework.

In summary, Islamic philosophy and the Quranic worldview offer a comprehensive response to Nietzsche’s existential ideas, emphasizing divine purpose, objective moral truths, the importance of community, and spiritual self-realization.

Salim Mohamed Badat
Writer exploring the intersection of faith , politics and justice

Shortlink: https://sudanhorizon.com/?p=11517