Civilization and Decline in Muslim Societies: A Critical Review of Malek Bennabi’s Thought

Abstract

This paper critically examines the civilizational thought of Malek Bennabi, a prominent Algerian intellectual of the 20th century, who emphasized the indispensable role of religion in the rise and fall of civilizations. According to Bennabi, civilization is not merely a material construct but a comprehensive system shaped by spiritual, ideological, and cultural foundations. The study explores his views on the integration of religion and ideology, categorizing them into foundational and practical ideas which influence both individual behavior and collective social structures.

Bennabi identifies the emergence of Islamic civilization with the advent of the Qur’an, arguing that it transformed a tribal and nomadic Arab society into a vibrant historical civilization. He outlines a three-stage trajectory of civilizational decline—spiritual, intellectual, and instinctual—highlighting the eventual dominance of base instincts and the erosion of ethical and rational faculties. The paper also reviews his concept of “post-civilizational society,” which explains the Muslim world’s stagnation as a result of the loss of spiritual motivation and the absence of a cohesive worldview.

Furthermore, Bennabi critiques the failure of the Islamic Renaissance movements in modern times, attributing it to a lack of clear objectives, improper diagnosis of social issues, and the absence of effective models for progress. He emphasizes that cultural and psychological rehabilitation is essential for reversing decline. Finally, the paper discusses Bennabi’s assessment of economic underdevelopment in Muslim countries, identifying it as a cultural and structural issue rather than a purely economic one. The study concludes by underlining the contemporary relevance of Bennabi’s insights for Muslim revivalism.