THEOLOGICAL RESPONSES TO CIVILIZATIONAL DECAY IN THE MODERN ERA: AN INTERDISCIPLINARY ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The modern era has witnessed an increasing sense of civilizational decay marked by ethical erosion, environmental degradation, socio-political disintegration, and spiritual void. Theological traditions—especially within Islamic thought—offer a profound framework for diagnosing and addressing this multifaceted decline. This article explores how theological narratives, doctrines, and moral imperatives provide guidance, critique, and transformative alternatives in response to civilizational crises. Through examining classical Islamic sources and engaging with contemporary theologians, the study articulates theological visions of civilizational renewal rooted in tawḥīd (Divine Unity), ʿadl (Justice), and khilāfah (stewardship). The article argues that modern civilization’s moral malaise can be redressed by re-centering theology as a source of ethical reconstruction and holistic societal well-being.