A clear distinction between developed and underdeveloped societies can be seen in the discourse of their respective elites. The elites of underdeveloped societies are often characterized by intellectual backwardness, mental laziness, and a lack of dynamism in their thought. This is evidenced by their inability to create discourses that promote liberation, prosperity, and progress. The people of these societies are stuck in the past, venerating their ancestors, celebrating false stories from the distant past, and attempting to use the past to explain away the failures of the present. This phenomenon is known as “Salafism” and is mistakenly thought of as a stratified current among religious currents. In reality, Salafism is the glorification of the past and its sanctification, regardless of whether it is done in a religious, ethnic, linguistic, or racial context.
Developed societies, in contrast, have freed themselves from the shackles of the past, not by forgetting it, but by gaining a critical understanding of it, in order to avoid repeating the mistakes that have led to the current unfortunate state of affairs, with the aim of directing all efforts and energies towards creating a better tomorrow for future generations. It is only with a forward-thinking mindset that one can leave the earth, soar in the boundless skies, and succeed in discovering new horizons in the vast world. In underdeveloped societies, however, stories from One Thousand and One Nights, the conquests of beginnings of Islam, the tragedy of Karbala, the plundering of India, the tale of Amir Arslan Rumi, and the legend of the Black Demon of Mount Qaf are the topics of heated debates. This indicates being stuck in the past and unable to embrace the spirit of our time.
In order to cultivate a creative and dynamic mindset, one must read books with new ideas and learn to read critically. Rationality should be practiced, and imitation should be discouraged. Fear of doubting the illusions and fantasies should be set aside, and the false sanctity of historical figures should be rejected. It is necessary to rid oneself of the burdens of the past and strive to reach the present.
Emancipation from the captivity of the past begins in the realm of the mind and soul, and then extends to the practical aspects of life. With an open mind, a dynamic intellect, and modern knowledge, we can create new discourses and strive for liberation. Unfortunately, in Afghanistan, the petrification and fossilization of mentalities has caused recurring discussions of descent to take precedence over creating narratives that would lead to the mobilization of the masses towards great ideals. These discussions are either honoring the dead or hating the living, and as a result, the past is worshipped, the present is unmanageable, and the future is left to God; this leads to backwardness, petrification, and fossilization.
