Books serve to enlighten the intellect, touch the heart, and stir the conscience, fostering holistic growth and leaving lasting impressions on readers’ minds, hearts, and souls. They are the most reliable source for documenting the zeitgeist of history and a civilisation’s ethos, capturing the essence of their respective eras. Books contain timeless knowledge, wisdom, insights, and ideas that transcend generations, allowing readers to share interesting stories, valuable nuggets, and pearls of wisdom with their contemporary and future generations. With their vast array of genres – fiction, humour, espionage, mystery, romance, and more – books cater to diverse readers, each with their unique preferences and curiosities.

Cultivating a love for reading books and gaining knowledge is not inherent in every child from birth. It is instilled in their formative years through a cloistered upbringing by learned parents, immediate relatives, and scholarly teachers, who inspire and enlighten their minds, making this habit ingrained. These paragons of excellence play a profoundly positive role in shaping young minds, fostering creativity, receptivity, tolerance, and a thirst for inquiry-based knowledge and wisdom – all essential in the current modern era. I was among the fortunate few who, at the age of 12, found an illustrious teacher – Khadim Hussain, an Old Ravian, medalist, polyglot and my father’s elder brother, who helped me cultivate the habit of reading books and newspapers.

Books carry the immense power to transport readers into another world, offering a window into the minds of authors and allowing them to grasp their unique perspectives and angles of reasoning. Through their writings in books, authors share their experiences, insights, and wisdom, often leaving readers in smiles, awe, and contemplation. As Oscar Wilde shared his insight in The Picture of Dorian Grey, “Intellect is in itself a mode of exaggeration and destroys the harmony of any face. The moment one sits down to think, one becomes all nose, or all forehead, or something horrid.” Such profound lines evoke a reflective mood, compelling readers to revisit them again and again.

Immersing in books also serves as an escape from life’s cacophony, bringing breathing space and peace of mind. Books expand readers’ exposure, serving as a moral compass and a key to unlock the doors of wisdom. This distinguishes those who seek it, empowering them to navigate life’s complexities with utmost lucidity and purpose. A person armed with knowledge radiates positivity, calmness of mind, and patience, drawing others like a magnet, eager to absorb the insights and pearls of wisdom communicated through words.

Centuries ago, Muslims were renowned authorities on producing literature, knowledge and wisdom, making significant contributions to philosophy, spirituality, astronomy and science. Luminaries like Ibn Sina ( Physician ), Jalaluddin Rumi (Sufi Mystic & Poet ), Jabir Ibn Hayyan ( Father of Chemistry ), Al-Khwarizmi ( Mathematician ), Ibn al-Haytham ( Father of optics ), Allama Muhammad Iqbal ( Philosopher ) and numerous other lodestars exemplified this profound legacy. In stark contrast, today’s world is awash with information, yet genuine knowledge is scarce. As Elif Shafak, a renowned Turkish novelist, puts it, “The paradox is we’re living in an age in which we have way too much information—more than we can process—but very little knowledge and even less wisdom.”

Abdullah Ibn Abbas (RA) was once asked about the secret to his vast knowledge. He humbly attributed it to his inquisitive nature and reflective heart, saying, “I ask questions and ponder deeply.” He himself said that he would often seek clarification from multiple sources, consulting three senior companions of the Prophet (PBUH) on a single topic to gain a deeper understanding, ultimately uncovering authentic knowledge and wisdom. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasised the importance of knowledge, saying, “I am the city of knowledge, and Ali (RA) is its gate.” Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi also echoed this sentiment, saying, “Don’t raise your voice, but arguments. It’s not thunder that grows flowers, but rain.” All these luminaries highlighted the importance of learning and seeking knowledge.

With the advent of smartphones and especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, the culture of reading books and newspapers has sharply declined, giving way to social media apps, digital reading to some extent, and the downloading of PDF files and books for academic purposes. The pandemic accelerated this shift, leading to a significant decline in print readership and newspaper subscriptions. In response, newspapers transitioned to digital platforms, while students increasingly accessed digital content, impacting publications’ reach and forcing booksellers to struggle to survive. However, excessive digital reading or scrolling poses serious health risks, including sleeplessness, eye strain, and other issues like cardiac problems.

Numerous factors have significantly contributed to discouraging youth from embracing books and seeking knowledge.

Firstly, parents of Gen Z didn’t play their due role in raising their children. They set a concerning precedent by focusing on religious obligations like daily prayers and Quran recitation without understanding. They didn’t read books themselves and haven’t instilled this habit in their children either.

Secondly, children’s books often fall flat due to irrelevant content or teachers’ failure to breathe life into stories, neglecting to infuse excitement, mystery, and curiosity that sparks imagination and leaves a lasting impact on young minds.

Thirdly, universities, colleges and schools have prioritised paper credentials, grades and certificates over substantive knowledge and skill-based learning. They need to reassess their approach and transition towards fostering inquiry-based knowledge and skill-based learning.

Fourthly, the dearth of public libraries in many cities nationwide has led to arduous commutes and hefty transportation costs. To bridge this gap, well-equipped public libraries should be established in every city, serving as vibrant hubs that promote reading, provide easy access to a wide array of books and foster a culture of knowledge and awareness.

Fifthly, Pakistan is being governed by the petty squabbles of the political parties rather than sensible voices. Our country sorely lacks visionary leaders who embodies excellence and can shape positive minds and nurture a culture of reading and intellectual curiosity.

Lastly, mainstream media anchors should dedicate airtime to promote reading books, knowledge and skill-based learning at least twice a week, rather than inundating young minds with vacuous political content for TRP that yields nothing. Moreover, social media apps and influencers have become the new training coaches, shaping youth’s minds, desires, habits, and thoughts adversely, rather than parents fulfilling this vital role. Parents must intervene to save their children and turn the tide.

Only by taking these tangible steps can we promote reading books and seeking inquiry-based knowledge, save our children and youth from mental health hazards, and put them on the right trajectory that leads to considerable success.

The writer is a columnist and academic. He can be contacted at hamza.malick0341@gmail.com

Note: This article first appeared in The Nation October 07, 2025.