Restoring the Missing Link Divine Consciousness Connection

Theme

The human being, according to divine revelation, was created with a profound purpose: to serve as a moral and spiritual agent on Earth, embodying values of justice, compassion, and accountability under the guidance of a higher moral order. However, contemporary society reveals a glaring contrast between this divine vision and the observable reality. The world is increasingly marred by widespread injustice, corruption, violence, and moral decay. These troubling trends are not isolated occurrences but systemic symptoms of a deeper malaise—a disconnection from the divine purpose of existence. This gap between intended purpose and lived reality raises urgent questions about the underlying causes of this moral failure. Is it a failure of understanding, institutions, spiritual cultivation, or societal structures themselves? The resulting consequences—ranging from individual despair to global crises—demand serious reflection. There is a need to explore the foundational reasons behind this disjunction, tracing the historical, philosophical, and sociocultural shifts that may have contributed to it. Diagnosing the missing link should contribute towards a more ethically coherent and spiritually grounded future for humanity. https://mrpo.pk/the-ethics-of-obedience/

Aim

Restoring the missing link divine consciousness connection, the study aims to identify the spiritual, philosophical, and divine missing link that accounts for the widening gap between the noble purpose of human creation and the growing prevalence of harmful, unjust, and morally destructive behavior in contemporary life.

Scope

This essay examines individual and collective human behavior by drawing on Islamic teachings, philosophical insights, and real-world observations. It focuses on identifying patterns that emerge when there is alignment between the divine purpose of human existence and actual behavior, as well as the consequences when this alignment is absent. The analysis includes a comparative exploration of moral, spiritual, and social outcomes in both cases, aiming to highlight the transformative role of the missing link in shaping ethical conduct and societal well-being.

The Divine Connection

Introduction:

Human beings were not created without reason, nor were they left unguided. The Qur’an declares unequivocally: “And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:56) 1. This verse encapsulates the essence of human existence: to live a life rooted in worship—not limited to rituals but encompassing submission, moral integrity, accountability, and purposeful action in all dimensions of life. The Qur’anic concept of worship includes stewardship (khilafah), justice, and ethical conduct, thereby offering a complete framework for both individual development and societal harmony. The foundation of this divine purpose was laid in the primordial covenant between Allah (SWT) and humanity, where every soul testified: “Am I not your Lord?” They said, ‘Yes, we testify.’” (Surah Al-A‘raf 7:172) 2

The Ideal Link: Covenant and Continuity:

This covenant signifies the ideal link between divine origin and earthly life. At every stage—spiritual, intellectual, and civilizational—humanity was to remain aligned with this foundational affirmation. While societies were to evolve by their social and scientific needs, this evolution was never meant to contradict divine guidance. Human beings were expected to legislate and govern within the moral and ethical boundaries set by revelation. However, history tells a different story.

The Historical Breakdown:

The critical breakdown occurred when man began to alter divine guidance for worldly gain. Over centuries, religious truths were manipulated, diluted, or institutionalized for political control, leading to widespread corruption of original messages. This distortion gradually caused people to lose trust in religion as a credible source of guidance. As the physical sciences progressed, religion—now seen as outdated or irrelevant—was cast aside. The modern world, in its pursuit of autonomy, began questioning not only religious institutions but the very idea of divine revelation itself. The result was a growing schism between sacred purpose and worldly behavior.

Islam as a Preserved Moral Framework:

Islam, however, stands apart from this trajectory. Unlike other faith traditions which were fragmented over time, Islam claims divine preservation and completeness. It is not built upon myth, revision, or cultural adaptation—it is a holistic code of life meant to govern not just the spiritual, but also the ethical, social, legal, and intellectual domains of existence. Yet even within the Muslim world, the gap between this ideal and lived reality is evident. Understanding how and why this disjunction has taken place—despite the clarity of purpose in Islam—is essential to diagnosing the “missing link” that has undermined the moral coherence of humanity.

Exploring the Missing Link:

This study embarks on a search for that missing link. It will explore where and why the divine intention for human life has been lost in practice, and what role historical distortions, philosophical deviations, and spiritual neglect have played in widening this gap. Through this exploration, the research seeks to contribute to a renewed understanding of human purpose—rooted in divine guidance and responsive to the challenges of contemporary life.

The Missing Link: Loss of Divine Consciousness (Taqwa):

At the heart of the issue lies a profound disconnection from Taqwa—the conscious awareness of God’s presence, His commandments, and the reality of the final judgment. ⁱ Taqwa is more than just fear; it is a vigilant moral compass that ensures human desires, emotions, and actions are aligned with the divine purpose. It serves as an internal guide, fostering accountability and ethical conduct in every aspect of life. The absence of Taqwa is the root cause of the disjunction between the noble human purpose and the observable decline in moral integrity across societies.

Philosophically, man is a being of dual nature—both body and soul, instincts and intellect. When the soul, connected to the divine, governs the individual, the self is upright, and purpose is clear. However, when the body and unchecked desires take control, corruption inevitably follows. This internal imbalance manifests externally, leading to a breakdown in societal ethics and justice.

When the Link is Straight and Correct:

• At the Individual Level:  
  • Purpose of life. A person who embodies Taqwa understands life as a temporary test, not a playground for fleeting pleasures. Choices are made with a sense of moral duty and divine accountability. Even when worldly temptations arise, ethical boundaries are maintained, and one’s actions remain guided by the principles of justice, mercy, and truth.
  • Responsibility. Forgiveness, charity, truth, patience, and responsibility guide their behavior, and they are conscious of their duties to God, themselves, and others.

As the Qur’an emphasizes: “Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous (with Taqwa) of you.” (Surah Al-Hujurat 49:13). This verse underscores the connection between righteousness and the recognition of divine purpose as central to one’s value in the sight of Allah 3.

• At the Societal Level:
  • Peace in the Society. When Taqwa permeates society, justice, equity, and compassion are deeply embedded within social, political, and legal systems. Leaders serve their communities, not rule over them, and wealth is shared rather than hoarded.
  • Law and order. Law and order reflect divine ethics, transcending mere political interests, and fostering a just and compassionate society.
  • The Social Bondage. The social fabric remains strong, with trust, mutual respect, and harmony prevailing among people.

Historically, the early Madinan society under Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) exemplified this ideal. The collective embodiment of Taqwa translated into a thriving public welfare system, legal justice, and mutual respect—a model that balanced personal piety with communal well-being.

When the Link is Broken or Distorted:

• At the Individual Level:
  • Personal Gains. When Taqwa is absent, life becomes self-centered. Success is defined by the pursuit of pleasure, status, and power, often at the expense of moral values. Ethics become subjective, with individuals justifying immoral acts for personal gain.
  • Loss of Core Values. Greed, anger, envy, and ego replace core values like compassion and humility.
  • Criminal Practices. Crime becomes normalized rather than condemned, and societal harm becomes the result of unchecked desires and actions.

This reflects the spiritual decay of the human self, or Nafs al-Ammarah, as described in the Qur’an: “Indeed, the soul constantly commands to evil, except those upon whom my Lord has mercy.” (Surah Yusuf 12:53). The corrupted self, when divorced from divine consciousness, leads to destructive actions both individually and collectively 4.

• At the Societal Level:
  • Moral Apathy. On a broader scale, when the link between divine purpose and human conduct is broken, societal systems begin to prioritize profits over people. Justice becomes negotiable, leadership becomes corrupt, and societal structures crumble under the weight of greed and moral apathy.
  • Social Contract. Families fracture, communities disintegrate, and the social contract is undermined.
  • Spiritual Void. Rising rates of depression, anxiety, and crime reflect a collective moral emptiness, pointing to the spiritual void that grows when divine guidance is ignored.

Modern secular societies, while technologically advanced, often face such crises. This is because their ethical frameworks are increasingly detached from spiritual or divine truths. Without a moral anchor, even the most well-intentioned laws can be manipulated, and the pursuit of justice becomes skewed by political or economic interests.

Why the Link Breaks: Root Causes:

Several factors contribute to the rupture of the divine-human link, including:

• Neglect of religious education beyond rituals. Spirituality is often relegated to isolated acts of worship rather than integrated into every aspect of life.
• Materialism and consumerism. As dominant worldviews, these philosophies prioritize material gain over spiritual fulfillment, driving humanity further from its divine purpose.
• Separation of spirituality from politics and economics. The relegation of faith to personal belief, rather than a guiding principle for public and economic life, erodes ethical foundations.
• Media and culture that glorify rebellion. Modern media often celebrates defiance and individualism, rather than virtue, discipline, and social responsibility.
• Family disintegration. The breakdown of family structures weakens early moral formation and reduces the capacity for individuals to internalize core ethical values.

Conclusion:

The purpose of human life—as vicegerents of Allah on Earth—is noble, clear, and achievable. However, when divine consciousness (Taqwa) is absent, this purpose becomes buried beneath the weight of worldly distractions and destructive instincts. Crimes, injustices, and societal decay are not merely the result of legal failures; they are symptoms of a deeper spiritual failure. The loss of Taqwa is the root cause of humanity’s moral decline.

Recommendations:

• Reinstate Taqwa in Education. Curricula should be redesigned to emphasize the purpose of life, moral responsibility, and the value of divine accountability.
• Link Governance with Ethics. Institutions must be restructured to reflect divine justice, ensuring laws and policies align with moral and spiritual principles rather than mere legal formalities.
• Strengthen the Family Unit. Family education must focus on mutual rights, spiritual growth, and moral development, ensuring that the next generation understands the deeper purpose of life.
• Combat Materialism. Public discourse should promote simplicity, contentment, and ethical living, countering the pervasive materialistic culture.
• Integrate Worship with Action. Teach that acts of worship like Salah, fasting, and charity are not isolated rituals but holistic character-building tools that should permeate all aspects of life.

Final Word:

After the primordial covenant—when Allah asked, “Am I not your Lord?” and humanity replied, “Yes, indeed” (Surah Al-A’raf 7:172)—a binding spiritual contract was established between the Creator and His creation. From that moment on, no culture, civilization, law, state policy, or strategy was meant to be conceived or implemented in violation of this divine affirmation. All human endeavors—individual or collective—were to remain within the moral and spiritual framework of that covenant 5.

Yet, as history shows, human beings strayed. Driven by pride, power, and short-term interests, they altered divine guidance, secularized knowledge, and separated governance from morality. The result has been the disintegration of spiritual order, the rise of injustice, and the normalization of moral confusion.

When man forgets his origin and his commitment to his Lord, he becomes dangerous—even to himself. But when he remembers that he is a servant of Allah and a trustee upon the Earth, he regains his dignity and becomes a source of peace, justice, and balance. The missing link—divine consciousness—must be restored. It is only through this reconnection that individuals, families, societies, and civilizations can recover their true purpose and ensure a future guided by both ethics and eternal truth.

i Taqwa is the conscious, consistent mindfulness of Allah (SWT) that governs a believer’s thoughts, actions, and intentions in alignment with divine guidance. It stems from a deep-rooted awareness of Allah’s presence and accountability before Him, leading one to avoid what is forbidden and strive toward what is righteous. Allah says in the Qur’an: “O you who believe! Fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice. He will amend for you your deeds and forgive you your sins. And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly attained a great success.”
(Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:70–71) The term “fear Allah” (ittaqū Allāh) in this and many verses signifies not mere fear but a reverential awareness that translates into ethical living 5.

Allah further states: “Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous (atqākum).” (Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:13) Here, nobility is directly tied to taqwa, underscoring its centrality in determining a person’s worth before Allah—not by lineage or status, but by spiritual consciousness.

Therefore, Taqwa is to live every moment with the awareness of Allah’s presence, constantly asking: Will this action earn Allah’s pleasure, or will it bring His wrath? It is to think before every step you take, weighing it on the scale of divine approval.