Does History Repeat Itself?
By
Abdul Aziz Al-Maqaleh
It is not true, as some contemporary writings suggest, that history repeats itself. It is often people who repeat the mistakes of their ancestors, making these repetitions seem like history is being replayed. Many do not read history or heed its events and past occurrences, which leads them to repeat those mistakes, yet they cannot recreate even a single day of history. History, in its entirety, is a journey towards tomorrow that knows neither pause nor retreat.
History may have its twists and setbacks, but it always marches steadfastly towards the future, possessing the ability to surpass those who do not keep pace with its journey, thus maintaining a state of constant ascent without decline. The mistakes made by some Arabs in modern times do not recreate history but rather repeat the errors of some of their ancestors—errors so egregious and vile that they have become distinguishing marks in the annals of history, continuously remembered and recounted by successive generations across the ages.
It is historically established that some Arabs—not all Arabs—committed grievous sins against themselves and each other before the advent of Islam. However, those sins are almost nothing compared to the atrocities some Arabs are committing now against themselves, their families, and their countries. While ancient Arabic poetry has preserved images of the sins of some desert Arabs, the most dangerous preserved element is the saying of one of them:
“And sometimes, upon Bakr, our brother, if we find no one but our brother.”
This verse alludes to the raids some tribes conducted against other tribes, and its most alarming aspect is that it shows these raiding tribes, when finding no one to attack, would turn upon themselves, consuming and destroying their own like fire that devours itself if it finds nothing else to consume.
The question that occupies some who believe history repeats itself is: Are some 21st-century Arabs a replica of their ancestors? This question is answered unequivocally by the current Arab reality, confirming that what is happening now far exceeds the sins of the ancestors. In some places, the brutality has reached unprecedented levels, rarely seen in both past and present.
We must understand that current actions are merely a reproduction of ancient atrocities in an advanced form, benefiting from modern inventions. Undoubtedly, the peoples and groups that reproduce the corrupt and dark aspects of their ancient history reflect a profound spiritual, moral, and national void. Simultaneously, they expose some leaders and rulers whose political interests revolve around safeguarding their positions, without making any effort to utilize the wasted popular energies in building and manufacturing through a national project. This national project could bridge the ever-widening gap between the authorities and the people, a gap that has exploded into savage reactions that make no distinction between brother and enemy, between the nation—an entrusted legacy for all—and the authority, which is a transient and changeable state.
This context explains the wild savagery we see and read about, which is difficult for sociologists and psychologists to interpret or identify its causes.
Any reasonable person must acknowledge—after witnessing the scenes of killing and torture that are happening here and there—that the accounts describing the sins committed by some pre-Islamic Arabs during their dark ages were greatly exaggerated and harshly judged those Arabs. These individuals never witnessed a single spark of modernity and had not seen—through television—the manifestations of human progress and how nations can dedicate their full energy to work, viewing it as an effective means to eliminate poverty and oppression, and as a true gateway to justice and equal citizenship.
It is certain that the ailment afflicting some Arab countries has no relation whatsoever to what transpired in a small part of the Arabian Peninsula before Islam. This illness stems from political and economic factors and is rooted deeply in the present historical moment. It could have been addressed and its repercussions avoided early on if there had been any wisdom, a bit of prudence, or some measure of logic.
translated by Hatem Al-Shamea.
The Quarantine Philosopher – Wajdi Al-Ahdal – trans. Hatem Al-Shamea
