THE ‘permanence versus change’ dilemma is one that has engaged humans for thousands of years. What is it that remains permanent and what is it that keeps on changing in our lives? How do we respond to change around us?
Permanence means the state or quality of remaining the same indefinitely. Change, on the other hand, is something that transforms/ evolves — whether it pertains to ideas or things. For instance, when a human goes from infancy to old age, there is something that remains the same within them — like their identity or key features unless deliberately changed.
Change is generally accepted as ‘natural’, with regard to some aspects of life, as in eating and clothing choices. On the other hand, there are other aspects, such as beliefs, practices or traditions that tend to stay the same and are ‘true’ to their ‘original’ form. The pro-change camp argues that, while retaining the essence or core values or principles of a particular belief or practice, the outer form could be adapted as human beings progress.
Could one argue, for example, that we need to wear the same kind of clothes that the ‘original’ culture adopted 1,000 years back? We need to realise that the world continuously changes — physically, culturally and socially.
We need to make a difference between form and essence.
I was talking once to a group of talented professionals in Lahore about the changing nature of our world. Some of them argued that we should not change our ‘culture’. I asked them how many of their forefathers donned turbans and dhotis? Almost 90 per cent raised their hands. I then asked how many of their grandfathers rode on horses and donkeys while going to and coming back from schools/ jobs? Over 60pc raised their hand. I then asked, “how many of you today have come to office on donkeys or horses?” Hardly any hand was raised. I asked, “Why? Have you forgotten your ‘culture’?” I pushed with another question: “why are you not wearing turbans and dhotis while going to office?”
Many said that when today you have cars, motorbikes, cycles and even helicopters, why would one ride donkeys and horses, insisting this was part of one’s culture. The process encouraged the participants to reflect on the dynamic and organic nature of culture. Culture is not frozen. It changes or evolves due to a number of external and internal factors.
Our times are global, so our young are adopting and adapting to global cultures, with no obvious external force or pressure. It just looks good to be part of that ‘world’. We have two current examples: Pakistan and Afghanistan. While Pakistan is seen as a moderate country marching in step with modern times, Afghanistan is an example of a nation clinging to tribal/ traditional cultures, where women are barred from education, thus depriving them of any meaningful role in society.
History has demonstrated how those who insisted that a particular practice was unacceptable, adopted it when its utility was proved beyond doubt. Printing of the Quran or its translation, the use of loudspeakers, or watching television are good examples. While earlier, many openly rejected the changes when they were introduced, gradually, when their advantages were seen, they accepted them.
It is worth quoting two of Allama Iqbal’s verses: “Sukoon muhaal hai qudrat ke karkhane mein/ Sabaat aik taghi’yur ko hai zamane mein”, meaning permanence is near impossible in the universe; what is permanent is change in the march of time. In another verse, he says “nishan yehi hai zamane mein zinda qawmon ka; ke subh-o-sham badalti hein unki taqdirein”, essentially saying that the sign of ‘living nations’ today is that, their destinies keep changing morning and evening.
Hazrat Ali is believed to have said: “Do not force your children to behave as you do, for surely, they have been created for a time which is different to yours.” A thousand years later, Kahlil Jibran, a famous poet, said, “your children are not your children; they are the sons and daughters of life’s longing for itself”. While parents should provide an enabling environment for their children to grow well, they should not attempt to mould them narrowly in their own image.
In sum, change is a permanent feature of human life; we need to make a difference between form and essence, literalism and interpretations. Without altering the essence, one can adjust the forms with the times. Progressive communities do exactly that. By keeping principles intact, and adopting the principle of change, they not only survive well, but thrive, making their times work for, not against, them.
The writer is an educationist with an interest in the study of religion and philosophy.
Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2026