Looking back at life in the past, during our childhood and youth, it seems very beautiful and much simpler than what we know today. Nowadays, many people remember the old times, hoping to find some peace of mind, far from today’s troubled life with its conflicts over money and luxury. Things worsen day by day; individuals become tense and more anxious because of constant worry about their financial situation compared to those of their relatives and friends. Because of this, people neglect social relationships which are lost amid the financial demands.
We find pleasure in beautiful memories and thinking about the past. There used to be social solidarity which we lack today. Many extended families, meaning parents, children and grandchildren, lived together under one roof. Family members were cooperative and understanding in making simple demands. People lived according to their financial status, neither complaining nor resenting it; they accustomed themselves to the situation and they were happy and comfortable although they might have lived in small houses.
Little girls and boys slept and lived in the same rooms; they entertained themselves by playing in the streets which, in those days, had very little traffic. Evening began in those days at dusk when children came home after playing outside and started working on their homework. After Isha, the family ate dinner and if they had TV, they might watch it; otherwise they went to bed.
In those days of course, there was only one channel and it only broadcast for a few hours every day. That meant people spent more time talking to one another and interacting with family members and friends. Children were always happy to listen to grandparents’ stories and when they were finished, off to the bed the children went — usually no later than 10. Day by day, life was simple and full of meaning. The greatest beauty was the social relationships which began with the extended family and filtered down to every single member. The social relationships and shared experiences were the bonds that connected people into families and which also connected one family with others. There really was one big happy family.
Time passed by and the modern world arrived with many improvements and changes. As it came so did financial prosperity for many and, in fact, many families became millionaires in a short span of time. When these things happened, there were major changes in old traditions and social relations. Extended families began to break up, with each unit going into its own house.
A young man who married wanted his own house instead of remaining in his family home. This soon became the norm and of course, family ties weakened and family associations decreased. Often when the young moved into their own house, it was in a completely different area of the city from where they had grown up. This too created a sense of dislocation and even alienation.
Today we take for granted all kinds of technological developments. Along with them have come advantages and disadvantages. Human nature being what it is, some of these developments are misused instead of being used wisely and for the common good. These technological invaders have caused further disruptions to our traditional social relations. People very often don’t know their neighbors and even on Islamic holidays, they do not bother to greet their neighbors or introduce themselves.
Now we have also had the stock market and its various crises. Each one is fighting to make large sums of money very fast and easily. Teachers have neglected their students and parents have given the care of their children over to maids, drivers and nannies — all as they pursue success on the stock market.
There are many good things about modern life but at the same time, everything that is old is not worth discarding or forgetting. Many of us live in luxury and even opulence but we enjoy little emotional satisfaction. We are familiar with worry and stress but not with happiness and contentment. It is time we took a good look at the principles and beliefs of our Prophet (peace be upon him) and thought about what he meant us to do and how he meant us to live.
