Things to do for social transformation to happen
Not only is change inevitable in man’s personal and social condition, so far as he is concerned the state of immutability is a sign of degradation. There is a famous saying that the only constant in the world is change. Human life on earth is becoming more and more difficult day by day due to many reasons. Disease, hunger, illiteracy and other natural conditions are constantly haunting the human society.
Human greed and the social system that drives it make life miserable for most of us. Many of us live at the bottom of human development indices such as food, health, education and shelter. Social welfare issues are written on the agenda of the governments but they are not implemented in practice.
Areas of transition
We will be able to live on earth with dignity only if there is a radical change in today’s global new world system where the poor are the most difficult. Governments have given up welfare work. Governments are taking anti-people and anti-farmer stances. Children’s education, health and other public institutions were all given over to monopolies. As a result of the liberal world system, the moral degradation of the society is also on the decline.
Apart from these plights in personal life, the nature we live in is also facing the threat of extinction. We are also witnessing complex situations like global warming, war, environmental issues, deforestation, plastic etc. As time marches on, we move from disaster to disaster. This situation can be changed only through individual-centered actions. It is important to cultivate individuals and educate them about social conditions.
The idea that the perspective of social transformation is a contribution of Western culture is totally immature and misleading. At least a millennium before the formation of Western culture, the basic principles of social change were described in the Holy Qur’an, Chapter Arrad, Verse 11. “……….. Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change their own qualities. If Allah decides to bring harm to a people then no one can stop it. Against Allah, no one can be a savior or a helper for such a people”.
This verse is one of the many great sayings inscribed on the walls of the Indian Parliament. The said verse makes it clear that the destiny of every society is their own responsibility. Society is a collection of individuals. When there is a change in individuals, does it reflect in the society? Just as an ocean is made up of many drops, society is made up of many individuals. If the chemical composition of a drop of water is acidic, shouldn’t the flowing ocean also be acidic?
To transform
Head, heart and two hands are the main elements that make up the personality. The important thing is to change it.
- The head represents knowledge and wisdom.
- The heart represents the moral sense and will.
- Two hands means skill in different field of work.
Training these three elements together can result in big changes.
Education is the proper training of these three elements. Changes in the quality of education and higher education of individuals are essential. A clear sense of direction is also relevant when it comes to education. This combined action of creating change in individuals lays the foundation for larger transformations in society.
There is no doubt that when the head, heart, and hands of men receive the necessary training, their inner affairs change. The above quoted verse makes it clear that when there is a change in the internal affairs of individuals, Allah will change the economic and social external affairs of the society. This is the natural law of change that applies to everyone.
Japan is a good example of this theory of transformation. Great changes have taken place in individuals through education. When pressured to abandon traditional belief and embrace Western culture, it was declared impossible. 80% of Japan is mountainous. The country was devastated by the American nuclear bomb in World War II. Volcanoes and tsunamis add to the misery. But Japan is the second largest economy in the world due to its individualized economy.
Prophetic models
Prophets were actually powerful advocates and implementers of social change. They have made a great difference by providing necessary training to individuals. They were brave souls who fought ruthlessly against social evils. The struggle not only against superstitions and customs but also against violent and selfish rulers brought about changes in human society.
The history of Prophet Muhammad is no exception to this. In addition to establishing nine schools to impart knowledge in Madinah at that time, he called to acquire knowledge by going to China, the cradle of ancient civilization. It is a rare event in history that Madinah was forced to teach literacy as a ransom for the release of prisoners captured in the Battle of Badr.
The first process of change in the human social condition must begin with individuals. Dundubi notes that social change is the change of individuals. If a society succeeds in nurturing individuals, they can achieve a bright future with the help of the Creator. At the same time, if a society fails to nurture individuals, that society will decline.
Along with that, as a social being, man needs to have strong ideas of struggle and collective action against social disasters. As a part of it, social and political pressures such as widespread awareness campaigns, voluntary activities, submission of petitions, preparation of public interest petitions, collection of signatures and necessary funds are also strengthened when social transformation becomes a reality.