Apathy Is A Universal Affliction
By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
21 January 2026
Uff iss qadar un ki be-niyazi ki intiha
Mere hone ka bhi unhein ehsaas na hua
Nashtar 'Nishapuri'
(Oh, the height of her indifference / She didn't notice even my presence)
Aren't we all suffering from a disease we're not really aware of? Yes, it's apathy; a pathological indifference and a (mildly) morbid state of existence. Because of this sickening indifference or apathy, we're letting wars and bloodshed take place across the globe and we hardly feel the pain for the sufferers. In the kingdom of Apathy, indifference reigns supreme. Indifference, the lack of concern or interest, holds a superior position in this kingdom. In such a realm, people are subdued, unresponsive, and disengaged from the world around them. Apathy becomes the ruling force, seeping into the fabric of society and rendering individuals passive observers rather than active participants. With indifference reigning supreme, the kingdom loses its vitality, empathy, and the drive for positive change, as people relinquish their responsibility towards one another and the greater good.
It is aptly stated that apathy is a disease that numbs the soul and dulls the mind. Apathy, often characterized by an absence of interest, enthusiasm, or concern, has the power to slowly erode the very essence of our being. When we become apathetic, we cease to feel deeply, to seek true meaning, and to engage with the world around us. It strips away our passions, leaving us in a state of emotional and intellectual numbness. Our ability to see beauty, feel empathy, and exercise our cognitive faculties becomes compromised. In its grip, our minds become foggy and our potential for growth becomes stunted.
Apathy is more than just an affliction; it is a grave threat to our ability to fully experience life. By numbing our desires and stifling our ambition, apathy extinguishes the fire that fuels our dreams. It erodes our willpower, leaving us complacent and resigned to a life of mediocrity. This serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need to combat apathy and ignite the flame of passion to safeguard our dreams from its fatal grasp.
Apathy is obvious in all spheres. People's political and electoral apathy contributes to forming governments that comprise all dubious characters. Marital and familial apathy result in the cases of divorce that are on the rise. Apathy is a reverse therapy that creates the worst in a society instead of helping society become healthy and robust. Apathy is a widespread bystander syndrome. It cares for none because in a state of apathy, care doesn't come. Apathy is devoid of all feelings; positive or negative. Its glacial coldness frosts you. That's why Mirza Ghalib said, " Qat.a keeje na ta'alluq hum se/ Kuchh nahin toh adawat hi sahi " (Don't sever all ties with me, I beseech / Let the vestiges of enmity remain at least). Samuel Johnson rightly said, " I'd rather be attacked than unnoticed. " It's like, " Tanqeed hi keejiye agar taareef nahin kee jaati aap se " (You'd better criticise if you can't admire).
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A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian.
URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/apathy-universal-affliction-/d/138529
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