The call "Read" from the Quran - a protection of the individual from spiritual zombification.
As-salamu alaykum. The idea that modern humans, as creations of the Almighty, face spiritual and sometimes physical destruction is definitely not just empty words. Often, people willingly fall into this, not realizing that the shine of trendy clothes, luxury cars, fancy apartments, and travel strip their souls of meaning and purpose. People and society live for the body, forgetting about the spirit and soul.
A person's loss of uniqueness as a creation of Allah happens because millions are subjected to targeted zombification by those who are interested in control and profit.
Take clothing as an example: many are convinced that wearing a branded item boosts their status. But a branded sweater isn’t any warmer than one made in a small Russian town; it doesn’t bring health, job success, or family happiness. Yet young folks chase after logos because it strokes their ego and pride. The fashion industry shapes the mindsets of millions in its own interests with advertising.
This is what zombification is all about - when a person's consciousness and soul are influenced to change their thoughts, words, and behavior. Some world elites aim to create a "new person" that fits their plans and establishes global dominance.
Humans are rational beings with an inner world: knowledge and creativity. Instead of spending hours reading or creating for spiritual and intellectual growth, many choose the easy route - buying trendy products or showcasing trips on social media. Advertising pushes people to be “trendy.”
As a result, a person “forgets” themselves and becomes an appendage of fashion. The main thing that gets lost is the strategic goal: preparing the soul to meet the Creator through worship and good deeds, being a creative personality, and leaving a positive mark on Earth.
For a believer, everything is determined by their level of iman. It’s faith that shapes culture, and culture impacts the economy, politics, and a lot more. The takeaway is that the transformation of people into “zombies” for global corporations is closely related to the weakening of faith in Allah.
The cure is a return to the true path, to tawheed and knowledge. Islam encourages literacy and learning. Everyone knows the first verse revealed to the Prophet ﷺ:
اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ... - "Read in the name of your Lord who created..." (Al-‘Alaq, 1–5). This shows that Islam began with a call to reading and knowledge. There are many indications in the Hadith about the necessity of study; they even say: "Seek knowledge, even if it is in China" - because acquiring knowledge is important for every Muslim.
Unfortunately, the divine call "Read!" has often been forgotten in Western societies: people have shifted their focus to gadgets. Smartphones distract kids from books and live reading. Reading develops mental abilities, and great discoveries happened because of books.
Modern devices, on the other hand, reduce concentration and thinking skills in children and young people. Studies show that even having a smartphone nearby distracts and diminishes mental capabilities. The development of artificial intelligence somewhat displaces intellectual activity - which benefits those who want to control the masses.
A person without critical thinking is more likely to believe lies and act in the interest of corporations. But we were all created by Allah for the purpose of worshiping Him. Resisting zombification and preserving the soul can be done by returning to Allah's religion, to reading, and to striving for knowledge. We need to explain to children the harms of constant smartphone use in education and limit their gaming time on phones.
It’s no coincidence that many thoughtful parents limit their children’s screen time - it’s the adults’ job to prevent children from becoming slaves to brands and to help them preserve their immortal souls for the Hereafter.
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