16.04.2025 07:30
142
Moral desensitization: a silent tragedy in society
From the way members of our society today respond or fail to respond to events that contradict moral standards around them, we can conclude that immorality is being unconsciously normalized.
The world is changing rapidly. Television shows, movies, TV series, social media, and even advertisements directly influence the human mind. But this influence has a dangerous side - it is "desensitization", that is, when a person is repeatedly exposed to something evil, depravity, or unpleasant situations, he begins to lose sensitivity to it. This process is called "moral desensitization".
Where does this begin?
At first, it seems normal to use foul language, make indecent jokes, deviate from dress codes, and laugh at family values. Then people stop criticizing them. Without realizing it, we become accustomed to evil. As a result, corrupt practices become commonplace, and vices are promoted under the name of "culture."
Our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Whoever sees an evil act, let him stop it with his hand. If he is not able to do that, then with his tongue. If he is not able to do that, then with his heart. And that is the weakest of faith." (Narrated by Imam Muslim)
In our time, neither the hand nor the tongue, but in many cases even the heart, is being used to seeing evil. Silence in the face of evil, getting used to it, is the most dangerous process. This leads to destruction not only on a personal but also a social level.
Media and ethical sensitivity
Many TV series, music videos, and social media trends are destroying our moral values. Young people are growing up watching immorality, and family concepts are losing their importance. In particular, women's honor, male responsibility, and the sanctity of the family are being ridiculed.
Moral desensitization occurs in stages:
1. Disgust - our hearts are initially disturbed when we see or hear evil. This is a sign that we still have faith.
2. Indifference - then this situation increases. Evil now becomes familiar to us. Instead of protesting against it, we choose silence.
3. Acceptance – eventually we take it for granted. Maybe we start to like it. In this way, we gradually get used to moral degradation.
The main reason for this process is watching too much and thinking too little. Every day, hundreds of pieces of inappropriate content pass our eyes on social media. Illegal, obscene, mocking, degrading, or sexually explicit videos are viewed by millions under the guise of "funny" or "trending."
It is clear that today's popular culture is trying to weaken modesty. Clothes are revealing, and masculinity and femininity are being mixed. Even children are being instilled with sexual promiscuity under the name of "freedom." This is, above all, an attack on the virtue of modesty.
However, our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Modesty is part of faith. Where there is modesty, there is only goodness" (Narrated by Imam Bukhari).
But we are moving towards a society that prides itself not on modesty but on indecency.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said: "Every religion has its own character. The character of Islam is modesty."
(Narrated by Ibn Majah).
So, since modesty is a part of faith, isn't this virtue being interpreted as an obstacle to modernity today? Whereas where there is modesty, there is morality, purity, and love.
What is the solution?
Everyone must start with themselves - every Muslim must protect their eyes, ears, and heart from what is forbidden.
To overcome moral desensitization, mere criticism is not enough. This requires practical struggle and awakening of public consciousness:
1. Regaining moral sensitivity.
2. Calling the media to order.
3. Pay serious attention to the upbringing of children.
4. The firm voice of scholars, intellectuals, and the press.
Desensitization is not just a mental state — it is the beginning of a process in society called “moral catastrophe.” Humanity reaches the brink of destruction not instantly, but gradually, through habituation.
Mukhlisa Mahmud
The world is changing rapidly. Television shows, movies, TV series, social media, and even advertisements directly influence the human mind. But this influence has a dangerous side - it is "desensitization", that is, when a person is repeatedly exposed to something evil, depravity, or unpleasant situations, he begins to lose sensitivity to it. This process is called "moral desensitization".
Where does this begin?
At first, it seems normal to use foul language, make indecent jokes, deviate from dress codes, and laugh at family values. Then people stop criticizing them. Without realizing it, we become accustomed to evil. As a result, corrupt practices become commonplace, and vices are promoted under the name of "culture."
Our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Whoever sees an evil act, let him stop it with his hand. If he is not able to do that, then with his tongue. If he is not able to do that, then with his heart. And that is the weakest of faith." (Narrated by Imam Muslim)
In our time, neither the hand nor the tongue, but in many cases even the heart, is being used to seeing evil. Silence in the face of evil, getting used to it, is the most dangerous process. This leads to destruction not only on a personal but also a social level.
Media and ethical sensitivity
Many TV series, music videos, and social media trends are destroying our moral values. Young people are growing up watching immorality, and family concepts are losing their importance. In particular, women's honor, male responsibility, and the sanctity of the family are being ridiculed.
Moral desensitization occurs in stages:
1. Disgust - our hearts are initially disturbed when we see or hear evil. This is a sign that we still have faith.
2. Indifference - then this situation increases. Evil now becomes familiar to us. Instead of protesting against it, we choose silence.
3. Acceptance – eventually we take it for granted. Maybe we start to like it. In this way, we gradually get used to moral degradation.
The main reason for this process is watching too much and thinking too little. Every day, hundreds of pieces of inappropriate content pass our eyes on social media. Illegal, obscene, mocking, degrading, or sexually explicit videos are viewed by millions under the guise of "funny" or "trending."
It is clear that today's popular culture is trying to weaken modesty. Clothes are revealing, and masculinity and femininity are being mixed. Even children are being instilled with sexual promiscuity under the name of "freedom." This is, above all, an attack on the virtue of modesty.
However, our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Modesty is part of faith. Where there is modesty, there is only goodness" (Narrated by Imam Bukhari).
But we are moving towards a society that prides itself not on modesty but on indecency.
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said: "Every religion has its own character. The character of Islam is modesty."
(Narrated by Ibn Majah).
So, since modesty is a part of faith, isn't this virtue being interpreted as an obstacle to modernity today? Whereas where there is modesty, there is morality, purity, and love.
What is the solution?
Everyone must start with themselves - every Muslim must protect their eyes, ears, and heart from what is forbidden.
To overcome moral desensitization, mere criticism is not enough. This requires practical struggle and awakening of public consciousness:
1. Regaining moral sensitivity.
2. Calling the media to order.
3. Pay serious attention to the upbringing of children.
4. The firm voice of scholars, intellectuals, and the press.
Desensitization is not just a mental state — it is the beginning of a process in society called “moral catastrophe.” Humanity reaches the brink of destruction not instantly, but gradually, through habituation.
Mukhlisa Mahmud
