The Centrality of Consciousness in Civilizational Construction from the Perspective of the Qur’an: A Qur’anic Social Study

Abstract

This research addresses the issue of consciousness as a central pillar in civilizational development, from the perspective of the Holy Qur’an. Civilization, though the result of multiple and interconnected factors, relies on consciousness as the unifying element that grants these factors cohesion and transforms them into an effective force. Based on Qur’anic and intellectual analysis, two main conclusions can be drawn: first, the multiplicity of factors constituting civilization, despite their importance, only becomes effective when concentrated within the framework of consciousness, which reorganizes and directs them toward the civilizational goal; second, consciousness is not limited to the ruling elite, as the awareness of the people constitutes a parallel condition for civilizational building—either through their responsiveness to the enlightened elite or through their mature awareness of their rights and adherence to the appropriate timing and mechanisms to achieve them.

Accordingly, the study offers two primary recommendations: first, to urge both the elite and the people to draw lessons from history to identify past errors and civilizational pitfalls; and second, to guide them toward deepening awareness of the procedures and mechanisms that contribute to placing the state on an ascending civilizational trajectory.