Uncultured Behavior in an Era of Literacy

✒ Editorial

12 October 2026, 1 Jumada Al-Awwal 1448 AH

Modern humanity lives at the apex of knowledge and technology. We are in an era where information from every corner of the world is available at our fingertips, literacy and educational opportunities are widespread, and modern lifestyle choices are common. Yet, even while pretending to be modern in attire and rhetoric, intolerance, selfishness, moral decay, and disrespect run rampant in personal relationships and social life.

The reality is that an increase in education and technology alone does not make a person cultured. Cyberbullying, vulgar language on social media, disrespect toward parents and elders, and rifts in neighborly relations all point to the spiritual and moral emptiness that modern human beings face.

This is where culture (Adab) from an Islamic perspective becomes relevant. Islam is not merely a collection of rituals; rather, it is a complete way of life and culture. Declaring the objective of his mission, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, "I have been sent only to perfect noble character." Islam emphasizes the purity of the human mind and conduct above material gains and knowledge. What is the point of knowledge if character does not change?

The prophetic teaching clearly defines conduct toward fellow beings: "A true Muslim is one from whose tongue and hands other people are safe." Character assassination and using abusive language in cyber spaces are completely contrary to this value.

Hiding one's own faults while picking out the flaws of others to spread on social media is by no means the sign of an informed mind; its only intent is to gain likes, reach, and express hostility toward others.

We daily witness numerous writings and videos on social media revealing how poisonous some minds have become. For instance, a Facebook post was observed ridiculing the prophetic teaching: "He is not one of us who eats his fill while his neighbor goes hungry"—by twisting its words with sexual undertones.

We cannot afford to lose internal values by being mesmerized by external shine. Progress without a moral foundation will only lead to ruin. Only through noble character formation rooted in God-consciousness can human beings fill this inner void and become truly cultured. We must be ready to purify our lives and conduct in the light of the Noble Qur'an and the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ.