Communism

In modern European history, communism emerged as a reaction to the same chaos and confusion, both as a philosophy of life and as a movement. Whatever success it has achieved in today's world is largely due to its apparent possession of a comprehensive code of life. This is the core of its appeal. However, since communism also failed to free itself from the negative trends of Western thought, it is similarly based on the division between matter and spirit, life and morality, and on the class distinctions within human society. While it provided a code of action, it could not present a healthy and life-affirming philosophy of life.

As long as communism remained just a theory, its appeal grew exponentially. But now that its practical results have come to light, its charm is steadily diminishing. This is because people are beginning to see: "And if the reins of power are handed to the laborer, then what? In the miner's system, there is the same taint of Nimrod!" (Iqbal)

On one hand, the modern world lacks a healthy philosophy of life, and on the other, the need for a philosophy that can solve life's problems on sound foundations and use human material progress for welfare and well-being is growing every day. Experience has proven that life is an indivisible whole. Human personality is singular, and it cannot simultaneously play two contradictory and opposing roles. If it does, it will fall into internal conflict. This is why modern man suffers from a fragmented personality. Social unrest, societal conflicts, the moral decline of youth, suicide rates, and the rise in mental illnesses are all stark reflections of this truth.

It was under such circumstances that Professor Judd remarked: "We have learned to fly like birds in the skies and swim like fish in the seas, but we have yet to learn how to live like humans on land."

For further details, see Chapter Four, as well as Chiragh-e-Rah, Socialism Number, Karachi, 1997, and Khurshid Ahmad's Socialism or Islam, Chiragh-e-Rah Library, Karachi, 1969.