The 21st-Century Humanitarian Crisis in the Perspective of al-Ghazali and Abbasid History

(Krisis Kemanusiaan Abad ke-21 dalam Perspektif al-Ghazali dan Sejarah Abbasiyah)

Abstrak

This study discusses the humanitarian crisis of the 21st century by reviewing the historical experiences of the Abbasid Dynasty and the thoughts of Imam al-Ghazali. Globalisation, which has brought advances in science and technology while also giving rise to humanitarian problems such as social inequality, moral decadence, and spiritual disorientation, shows a pattern similar to the decline of Islamic civilisation during the Abbasid period. This study uses a qualitative approach with a literature review method. Data was collected from classical and contemporary literature, then analysed through content analysis and a historical-comparative approach. The results of the study show that the decline of the Abbasids was not only caused by external attacks, but also by internal crises in the form of weak morality, corruption, and a loss of spiritual orientation. Imam al-Ghazali's thoughts, particularly in Ihya 'Ulum al-Din, emphasise the importance of purifying the heart, strengthening morality, and integrating knowledge with faith and ethics as fundamental solutions to the humanitarian crisis. Thus, the historical lessons from the Abbasids and al-Ghazali's thoughts provide important reflections for modern global society to not only focus on material progress but also to build moral and spiritual foundations for the creation of a just and sustainable civilisation.

Penelitian ini membahas krisis kemanusiaan abad ke-21 dengan meninjau kembali pengalaman sejarah Dinasti Abbasiyah serta pemikiran Imam al-Ghazali. Globalisasi yang menghadirkan kemajuan ilmu pengetahuan dan teknologi sekaligus memunculkan problem kemanusiaan, seperti kesenjangan sosial, dekadensi moral, dan disorientasi spiritual, menunjukkan pola yang serupa dengan kemunduran peradaban Islam pada masa Abbasiyah. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan metode studi kepustakaan. Data dikumpulkan dari literatur klasik dan kontemporer, kemudian dianalisis melalui analisis data dan pendekatan historis-komparatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kemunduran Abbasiyah tidak hanya disebabkan oleh serangan eksternal, melainkan juga oleh krisis internal berupa lemahnya moralitas, korupsi, dan hilangnya orientasi spiritual. Pemikiran Imam al-Ghazali, khususnya dalam Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din, menekankan pentingnya penyucian hati, penguatan moral, serta integrasi ilmu dengan iman dan etika sebagai solusi mendasar atas krisis kemanusiaan.Dengan demikian, pelajaran historis dari Abbasiyah dan pemikiran al-Ghazali memberikan refleksi penting bagi masyarakat global modern agar tidak hanya berfokus pada kemajuan material, tetapi juga membangun fondasi moral dan spiritual demi terciptanya peradaban yang berkeadilan dan berkelanjutan.