As capitalism fractures the collective spirit of faith, the emergence of a community-centered institution and divine reformer may be vital in transforming religion back into a unifying force for harmony and spiritual growth
In our modern era, capitalism has dramatically altered the fabric of society, impacting everything from healthcare to education. What were once collective efforts rooted in community values have increasingly become pursuits of individualism, clout, and profit. Public systems meant to promote fairness and equality have suffered deeply—hospitals now operate like corporations, prioritizing profit over care, while education, once a great equalizer, has become a privilege reserved for the affluent.
This transformation extends beyond material institutions and into the spiritual realm, fundamentally changing religion’s purpose and role in society.
Historically, religion has been a unifying force, a source of collective strength and morality. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), for instance, led a revolutionary movement that dismantled social evils, fostered equity, and built a community rooted in justice and fraternity. Guided by divine principles, he emphasized the collective “we” over the radical “I,” creating a moral consciousness that transcended materialism and individualism.
Later, Islamic thinkers like Al-Ghazali and particularly Rishis in Kashmir carried this torch, promoting inclusivity, unity, and harmony. In Kashmir, the Rishis cultivated a unique culture of egalitarianism, bridging divides between classes and faiths. Kashmiri society once embodied these collective, socialist values.
However, capitalism has eroded this balance. Prioritizing privatization, competition, and material wealth has turned religion into a fragmented, individualistic enterprise. Clerics now operate like entrepreneurs, marketing morality and divine teachings for personal gain. Religion, once a collective force for unity, has been transformed into a battleground of sectarianism and division.
This phenomenon is evident in the rise of techno-clericalism, where religious leaders use technology to sensationalize debates and chase clout. Instead of fostering unity, many clerics perpetuate hostility, pseudo-science, and fabricated histories, labelling critics as modernists or liberals to silence dissent. Sectarian cults thrive by promoting “us vs. them” narratives, instilling fear, and deepening divides within society thus collecting huge amounts to counter opposite sides.
Capitalism has commercialized even the most sacred aspects of life, reducing religion to yet another profit-driven industry. The result is a fractured society, where the spiritual unity that religion once offered has been replaced by fanaticism, frustration, and materialism.
To counter this decline, we must reimagine religion as a community-centred institution that prioritizes unity, morality, and spiritual growth. A divine institution—such as a divinely guided spritual caliphate—could nationalize and collectivize religion once again, removing it from the control of individual clerics and profit-driven enterprises.
Such an institution would revive the collective spirit of religion, restoring its original purpose as a unifying force that transcends barriers of class, creed, and wealth. By fostering inclusivity and morality, it could heal the divisions created by capitalism and create a society rooted in harmony and shared spirituality.
In these critical times, the emergence of a divine reformer as foretold by Prophet of Islam (PBUH) himself could be pivotal. Such a leader could dismantle the profit-driven structures of modern religious institutions, replacing them with systems that prioritize community and morality. By addressing the materialism and divisiveness of current religious enterprises, this reformer could revive religion’s true essence as a cornerstone of unity and spiritual growth.
The privatization of religion under capitalism has turned it into a divisive, profit-oriented system, stripping it of its collective and inclusive spirit. To reclaim its original purpose, we must restore religion as a force for unity and morality. A divine institution and reformer could lead this transformation, enabling religion to transcend materialism and once again serve as a foundation for harmony, equality, and spiritual growth. (In Sha Allah)
Yawar Nazir
ya**********@***il.com