Indifference and its effects until the fall of the Arab Islamic state (656 AH / 1258 AD): A comparison with indifference in the political thought of Imam Ali (peace be upon him(

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the role of apathy as a pivotal psycho-social factor in accelerating the collapse of the Abbasid Caliphate, focusing on the fall of Baghdad in 656 AH\1258AC. Proceeding from the hypothesis that the rampant spread of apathy among both elites and the general populace created a fertile environment for internal disintegration, the research adopted an integrated methodology combining historical analysis and the socio-psychological approach. The study concludes that apathy transcended the individual level to become a dominant cultural trait, manifested in weak political leadership, the declining oversight role of religious scholars, and the collapse of defensive and economic structures. Collectively, these factors led to the erosion of social cohesion and the collapse of the spirit of resistance, rendering the fall of Baghdad inevitable. The study concludes that civilizational collapse originates from within and recommends enhancing ethical-political education and encouraging interdisciplinary studies bridging history and the social sciences.