Surfing the Tsunami: The Unthinkable Future and the Forgotten Three Principles

In a world increasingly mesmerized by artificial intelligence, quantum computing, bioengineering, and dreams of immortality, the unthinkable question that few dare to ask is this: Where are we really heading?

The recent obsession with future technologies, transhumanism, and post-human evolution is often praised as the ultimate human achievement. The Israeli historian and bestselling author Yuval Noah Harari, a so-called scholar widely celebrated in tech and policy circles, has authored volumes of thick books-Sapiens, Homo Deus,21 Lessons for the 21st Century and the Nexus -that all revolve around a single, dangerous idea: the denial of God, the denial of fitrah (innate human disposition), and the glorification of human arrogance. His ideas are little more than a secular echo of Darwin's worldview, wrapped in eloquent prose and techno-optimism.

Having read all of Harari's books, I can confidently say that they amount to a repetitive hymn to a world without divine guidance, where humans are "hackable animals," history is a meaningless narrative, and the future belongs to a small techno-elite. In Harari's imagined future, meaning, ethics, and spirit are outdated concepts.

But Harari is not alone. Across the world, a powerful ideology is gaining momentum: a godless utopia driven by data, driven by markets, and driven by machines. This vision might look sophisticated in the short run, but it is blind to the real costs. In the long run, this could spell disaster.

The Forgotten Three Principles

1. Tawhid (Unity) - Recognizing the Oneness of God, and thus the interconnectedness and sacredness of all creation.
2. Khilafah (Stewardship) - Embracing our moral responsibility to care for the Earth, not dominate it.
3. 'Adalah (Justice) - Upholding balance and fairness in our systems-social, ecological, economic.

Humanity's Two Options

Option One: Humanity continues its race into the future, driven by profit, ego, and raw power. In this scenario, the technological progress may be dazzling at first. People will believe they are in control. They will even claim to become gods, chase immortality, and design life itself. But in the long run, this will bring more wars, disruptions, inequality, and planetary collapse.

This is not a philosophical prediction-it is already happening. Ecological disasters, endless wars, AI threats, loneliness, and moral confusion are signs of a deeper crisis.

The Qur'an warns us in vivid terms: "Until, when the earth has taken on its adornment and is beautified, and its people think they have power over it-there comes to it Our command by night or by day, and We make it as a harvested field, as if it had not flourished the day before." - (Qur'an, 10:24)

This verse reflects the exact delusion of modern civilization: thinking we own the Earth, only to be reminded by fate and divine justice that we are not.

Option Two: We return to the three forgotten principles-tawhid, khilafah, and 'adalah. We institutionalize them in governance, education, economics, and technology. Only then can we avoid the tsunami ahead. Only then can progress become meaningful, peaceful, and sustainable. Only then can we be happy.

Surfing the Tsunami: Dator's Warning

In his famous metaphor, Dator warned that humanity is not facing a gentle wave of change but a tsunami. This tsunami, made of rapid technological, environmental, and social upheavals, cannot be stopped. The best we can do is learn how to surf it.

But how can we surf if we have lost our inner compass? Surfing the future without ethics is like navigating a storm without a map. We may survive the wave, but at what cost?

Adding Depth: Sohail Inayatullah's Causal Layered Analysis (CLA)

CLA breaks down reality into four layers:

1. Litany - The day-to-day headlines, symptoms, and problems.
2. Systemic Causes - The structures and policies that create those problems.
3. Worldview/Discourse - The ideologies, mental models, and values shaping those structures.
4. Myth/Metaphor - The deepest level, the shared cultural stories that give meaning.

An Islamic civilizational future would rewrite this story entirely. The new metaphor would be "The Garden"-a place of harmony between Creator, creation, and human being. This would shape a worldview of humility, care, and justice, leading to policies and systems rooted in balance, not exploitation.

The Call for a Civilizational Reset

Islam, as a worldview and moral compass, offers an integrated model where the spiritual, ecological, and political are not in conflict but in harmony. The Islamic tradition sees the future not as a playground for human pride but as a trust (amanah). It invites us to imagine a future where progress does not come at the cost of meaning, and where science serves wisdom, not ego.

The challenge is enormous. But the alternative is collapse.

Beyond the Unthinkable

If we return to the three forgotten principles-and institutionalize them-we may yet build a world of peace, purpose, and prosperity. Otherwise, we will surf the tsunami blindly-and drown.

Dr. AbdulWahed Jalal Nori is an Assistant Professor at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), specializing in political science, Islamic philosophy, and futures studies. His work bridges classical Islamic thought with contemporary global challenges, focusing on the intersection of ethics, civilization, and strategic foresight. His research aims to contribute to shaping a just and resilient future for the Muslim world and beyond.