Penulis: Shaleh Afif, M.Hum / Dosen Tetap Prodi HES STAI Riyadhul Jannah Subang
tintagenz.com- For most young people, hearing the word “history” might immediately trigger sleepiness. The image that often comes to mind is the same: a series of dates that must be memorized for exams, the names of figures that feel distant, or outdated narratives that have no connection to everyday life.
However, when it comes to Islamic history, it is a big mistake to see it merely as a dusty archive of the past. For Generation Z—a generation born in an era flooded with information and algorithms—‘scrolling through’ Islamic history can actually be key to addressing various existential crises they face today.
Why does Gen Z need to start paying attention to and delving into the history of Islamic civilization? The answer goes beyond nostalgia or romanticizing the past.
- Discovering the Roots of Modern Technology and Science
Gen Z are digital natives. They live alongside artificial intelligence (AI), TikTok algorithms, and advanced gadgets. However, how many of us know that the algorithms governing their For You Page (FYP) today are rooted in the thinking of Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, a 9th-century Muslim mathematician?
As we trace the history of Islam, we find the Islamic Golden Age, which was actually very progressive. While Europe was in the Dark Ages, the Islamic world became a center of innovation. From Abbas Ibn Firnas conducting the first flight experiments, Al-Zahrawi laying the foundations of modern surgery, to Fatima al-Fihri establishing the world’s first university.
Reading Islamic history through this lens makes Gen Z realize that faith and science are never at odds. Islam actually encourages its followers to be pioneers in knowledge. - Remedies for Identity Crisis and Mental Health
One of the biggest challenges for Gen Z is mental health issues and the search for identity amidst the hustle and bustle of social media. Interestingly, Islamic history has a dedicated chapter on this matter.
Long before the West formulated modern psychology, Muslim scholars like Ibn Sina (Avicenna) and Al-Balkhi had already written about siyasat al-nafs (mental health) and how the human body is greatly influenced by the condition of the soul. Knowing that Islamic civilization has long cared about mental and spiritual well-being can provide a sense of security and guidance for Gen Z, who often feel lost in the quarter-life crisis. - Learning Authentic Tolerance and Inclusivity
Gen Z is known as a generation that is very concerned with issues of social justice, inclusivity, and diversity. In Islamic history, these values are not just political slogans, but historical realities.
Look at how Andalusia (Spain under Islamic rule) became a safe space for Muslims, Christians, and Jews to live together, learn together, and build civilization. Or how the Constitution of Medina initiated by Prophet Muhammad PBUH became one of the first modern constitutional documents guaranteeing the rights of minority groups. Islamic history teaches that being religious does not mean being intolerant. - Turning Doomscrolling Into Mindful Scrolling
Every day, Gen Z spends hours scrolling on their device screens. Unfortunately, this activity often ends in doomscrolling—the continuous consumption of bad news that triggers anxiety.
Why not turn this habit into something empowering? Nowadays, many content creators present Islamic history through aesthetic short videos, impressive infographics, or engaging podcasts. “Scrolling” through Islamic history in this new way can be a healthy alternative to digital consumption. It is a way to understand that the world we live in today is shaped by the great contributions of the past.
Reading the Past to Design the Future
In the end, studying Islamic history for Gen Z is no longer about memorizing when the Battle of Yarmouk took place or in what year the Abbasid Dynasty collapsed. It is about looking for a blueprint for the future.
Islamic history is a mirror. Through that mirror, Gen Z can see that their identity as Muslims is not archaic or outdated. On the contrary, history shows that Islam is a religion that drives civilization, values reason, and upholds humanity.
So, for Gen Z, let’s reduce a bit of the time spent scrolling through social media drama, and start scrolling through the pages of Islamic history. Who knows, the solution to your worries today may actually have been discovered a thousand years ago.