History and civilization must be reexamined beyond Eurocentric frameworks that prioritize material progress while sidelining ethics and divine guidance, argued Prof. Dr. Anis Ahmad, Vice Chancellor of Riphah International University, during a lecture at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad on Tuesday.
Speaking on ‘Understanding History and Civilization the Right Way’ as part of IPS’s series ‘The World Today and the Future of Humanity,’ Dr. Ahmad emphasized the Qur’anic perspective that treats history as a moral process shaped by values such as justice, fairness, honesty, and social responsibility. He noted that civilization embodies these values in cultural, institutional, and social life.
Tracing the evolution of Western thought, Dr. Ahmad outlined how rationalism, medieval theology, Renaissance materialism, Enlightenment secularism, and postmodern relativism progressively excluded ethics and divine guidance. This, he argued, resulted in a fragmented worldview that compartmentalized human life into secular and sacred spheres and defined progress largely in material terms.
By contrast, he explained, Islamic thought conceives history as an ethical continuum where the rise and fall of nations depend not on power or wealth alone but on adherence to universal values. ‘Principles such as tawhid (unity of God), adl (justice), and akhlaq (moral conduct) are not Muslim-specific,’ he said. ‘They are universal values that can ensure sustainable progress and human dignity.’
The lecture also addressed contemporary issues such as distortions of history, crises in education, and the ethical void in politics and economics. Dr. Ahmad urged Muslims to move beyond ritualism and reclaim Islam’s comprehensive vision, integrating faith with reason, morality, and social responsibility.
Responding to a query on whether the Qur’anic approach was ‘theological’ rather than ‘scientific,’ he clarified that it is neither mythological nor dogmatic but rooted in rational, ethical, and observable principles of human behavior. ‘Islamic history is not about miracles or myths,’ he said, ‘but about human choices, responsibilities, and consequences.’
The hybrid session drew educationists, scholars, and students from multiple countries, reflecting the global relevance of the themes under discussion. Dr. Mustafeez Ahmad Alvi, an academic in Islamic socio-political thought, opened the session by highlighting the dominance of Eurocentric perspectives in shaping modern responses to global challenges.