The fabric of society is fraying, unraveling under the weight of psychological distress, moral decay, and widespread indifference. We live in an era where unethical behavior, irrational actions, and a general disregard for values no longer shock us. The normalization of such behaviors signals a deeper crisis—one that extends beyond individual failures to a collective loss of consciousness. The real tragedy is not merely the decline of ethical and social structures but our growing indifference toward this loss. Allama Iqbal (R.A) captured this peril in his verse:
“Waaye nakaami! mataa-e-kaarvaan jaata raha,
Kaarvaan ke dil se ehsaas-e-zayaan jaata raha.”
Iqbal’s words serve as an alarm bell, warning that a nation is not ruined solely by external enemies but by its own negligence. He likens a nation to a caravan being stripped of its wealth while its travelers remain blind to the plunder. The greatest catastrophe is not material loss but the death of awareness (ehsaas-e-zayaan).
The Mental Health Epidemic,Societal Collapse: A growing crisis looms large: mental illnesses, depression, anxiety, and trauma are reaching unprecedented levels. Economic instability, social pressures, broken family structures, and the excessive influence of materialism have left people feeling hopeless and disconnected. The fast-paced nature of modern life bombards individuals with distractions, yet the sense of emptiness remains unshaken. Society now equates success with material gains, sidelining ethical consciousness, emotional intelligence, and mental well-being. The loss of spiritual grounding has led to a vacuum where moral corruption thrives. Many individuals no longer differentiate between right and wrong, and social media has exacerbated this condition by rewarding self-centeredness, manipulation, and shallow interactions.
A Nation Ensnared By Deception: Recently, an incident in Kashmir exposed the dangerous depths to which blind faith can drag a society. A self-proclaimed ‘Baba’ convinced his followers to participate in an outrageous act of deception—performing a fake ‘Umrah’ around a replica of the Kaaba. He gathered people, made them circumambulate the structure, and instructed them to stay for seven days as part of their ‘spiritual journey.’ What makes this incident truly alarming is not just the act itself but the ease with which people were deceived. Many educated individuals, instead of questioning the absurdity of it, glorified the so-called ‘Baba,’ sharing his videos and presenting him as a saintly figure. This is a disturbing reflection of how deeply superstition has infiltrated our minds.
Faith Exploited;When Superstition Overrides Religion: The holy Quran explicitly warns against associating partners with Allah: “O my son! Do not associate anything with Allah. Indeed, shirk is a great injustice.”(Surah Luqman: 13). Yet, despite these clear teachings, many continue to put their trust in self-proclaimed saints—individuals who neither possess religious knowledge nor demonstrate any true piety. Instead, they use theatrics, an unkempt appearance, and bizarre behavior to convince people of their ‘spiritual’ status.
This is not a new phenomenon. Throughout history, fake saints, corrupt scholars, and deceitful religious figures have preyed upon the weak. They thrive not because of their wisdom but because of society’s willingness to follow without questioning.
The rise of figures like Razzaq Baba is not just a failure of individuals but a collective failure of our religious and educational institutions.
“Mental decay, moral corruption, and societal numbness are not isolated issues but interconnected symptoms of a greater collapse. If we do not wake up now, future generations will inherit a world devoid of ethical principles, mental resilience, and spiritual grounding. The need for action is immediate. As Iqbal reminds us, the moment ehsaas-e-zayaan (sense of loss) dies, so does the hope of revival. This verse is not mere poetry—it is a desperate call to awaken before it is too late. The time to act is now. The question remains: Will we heed the call, or will we let indifference seal our fate?”
The Role of Education In Sustaining Ignorance: One might assume that education would shield people from such deception, yet time and again, we see that even educated individuals fall into the trap of blind faith. The reason? Our education system focuses on rote learning rather than critical thinking. People memorize religious texts but fail to understand their meaning. They follow traditions without questioning their validity. When logic is removed from education, superstition fills the void. The result is a society where a man covered in ashes, roaming the streets naked, is revered as a saint rather than recognized as someone in need of psychological help.
Breaking The Chains Of Deception: The recent demolition of the fake Kaaba by courageous individuals was a necessary act. It symbolized a rejection of ignorance and a stand against the corruption of faith. However, destroying a structure is easy; eliminating the mindset that created it is the real challenge.
If we truly wish to honor our religious heritage, we must return to the teachings of Islam in their purest form—rooted in knowledge, guided by reason, and free from superstition. The destruction of a false shrine is a start. The real victory will be when people no longer fall for such deception in the first place.
The Role Of Society And Institutions In Revival: A civilization that does not recognize its decline is doomed to perish. The revival of lost awareness is essential. Institutions, families, educators, and policymakers must work collectively to restore the core values that once formed the backbone of society.
Strengthening Family, Community Bonds: The family unit serves as the foundation of any society. Parents must take responsibility for instilling moral values in children. Open conversations about ethics, faith, and mental well-being should become part of daily life. Communities should foster a culture of mentorship where elders guide the youth toward wisdom rather than leaving them to be influenced by social media trends.
Reforming Education for Moral, Psychological Growth
Education must go beyond academic success to nurture holistic development. Schools should integrate:
Mental Health Awareness Programs
Ethical, value-based education; Emotional Intelligence Training: A curriculum that promotes self-reflection and social responsibility Merely producing graduates without moral or social responsibility will only contribute to a society filled with lost and disillusioned individuals.
Reviving Spiritual, Ethical Teachings: Religious and spiritual wisdom has always provided humanity with a sense of direction. Islam, for instance, teaches self-accountability (muhasabah), patience (sabr), gratitude (shukr), and the pursuit of knowledge (ilm). Religious leaders and scholars must guide people toward self-awareness and personal growth, rather than restricting their influence to ritualistic practices.
Mental Health Awareness and Accessible Healthcare
Governments and policymakers must recognize mental health as a societal emergency. Awareness campaigns, affordable therapy, and accessible counseling centers should be made available to all. Psychological distress must be treated with the same urgency as physical ailments.
Responsible Use of Media, Technology: Social media and entertainment industries play a crucial role in shaping public consciousness. Content creators must be encouraged to promote ethical values, empathy, and responsible behavior. Instead of glorifying negativity, media should focus on content that fosters self-improvement and social harmony.
Breaking The Cycle of Indifference: Iqbal’s warning remains more relevant today than ever before. Nations that lose their sense of purpose become passive in their own destruction. The first step toward revival is recognizing the disease—acknowledging that mental decay, moral corruption, and societal numbness are not isolated issues but interconnected symptoms of a greater collapse. If we do not wake up now, future generations will inherit a world devoid of ethical principles, mental resilience, and spiritual grounding. The need for action is immediate.
As Iqbal reminds us, the moment ehsaas-e-zayaan (sense of loss) dies, so does the hope of revival. This verse is not mere poetry—it is a desperate call to awaken before it is too late. The time to act is now. The question remains: Will we heed the call, or will we let indifference seal our fate?
(The author is a leading coaching consultant in Kashmir and a freelancer. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
