Does political thought rest on hostility?   Capt Mohamed Hassan Al-Tahir  

Date: May 9, 2026

Political thought, at its core, is a value-based system (ethical, religious, or principled) that seeks sustainable solutions to society’s problems (through a social contract written in small letters, nurtured by generations rather than imposed upon them). If this thought is founded on hostility, it turns into:

– A tool for destruction instead of construction,

– A means of deepening division instead of fostering consensus.

The Holy Qur’an offers profound examples of managing conflicts:

The story of Moses and Pharaoh:

– Pharaoh built his authority on hostility and oppression, while

– Moses (peace be upon him) came with a reformist message calling for freedom and justice.

These two models show that thought based on hostility collapses before thought rooted in values.

So where is the wisdom of Sudan’s political sages compared to those who destroyed their own tribes through hostility?

The story of Joseph and his brothers:

– Hostility among brothers led to crisis, but wisdom and crisis management elevated Joseph to leadership, where he used political thought to manage Egypt’s resources during famine.

So where is Sudan’s economic political thought to resolve the tragedy of Sudan’s war?

These examples confirm that successful political thought is not built on enmity, but on vision and the ability to turn crises into opportunities. From here arises the question:

– Does political thought exist in Sudan?

Sudan is rich in cultural and social diversity, yet it has suffered repeated political crises. The main reason, in objective analysis (which should be said once, not repeated endlessly), is not Sudan’s proletariat but the bourgeoisie of politics. There may have been attempts to establish political thought, but they were often founded on hostility and rivalries between factions, not on enlightened, authentic thought.

True political thought in Sudan must transcend divisions, seek a unifying model balancing diversity and unity, and be rooted in originality, creativity, inclusiveness, and transcendence. Thought is an organized mental process that strives to understand reality and devise solutions. It is not merely opinion, but a comprehensive vision marked by methodology and creativity.

A thinker is one who:

– Reads reality deeply,

– Formulates visions beyond the present moment,

– Provides innovative solutions to problems,

– Rises above personal rivalries,

– Holds firmly to objectivity.

Yet this description, though necessary, is not sufficient. A political thinker must also embody:

Intellectual independence:

– Not captive to narrow interests or childish rivalries.

Dialogue capacity:

– Because political thought cannot live in isolation.

Rising above hostility:

– A thinker should not drown in disputes.

Originality in approach:

– Offering new visions, not mere repetition.

Political thought should be a tool for solving problems, not creating them, to push society toward positive thinking and innovative solutions. Crises can be catalysts for change if managed rationally and guided by enlightened vision. Such vision transcends hostility, elevates conscience, and provides models for future generations. No true thinker bases his thought solely on enmity toward one person or another.

The true measure of political thought is its ability to:

– Offer practical solutions,

– Preserve social unity,

– Rise above hostility,

– Innovate and present unique visions.

The thinker worthy of this measure places society’s interest above his own, making thought a tool for building, not destroying.

✦ In conclusion:

Political thought founded on hostility cannot build a cohesive society. The Qur’anic model shows that thought rooted in values and justice is what builds civilizations. Sudan, like other nations, needs political thinkers who transcend rivalries and establish a unifying vision capable of turning crises into opportunities.

Will Sudanese thinkers establish such a model, inscribing their thought in history with letters of light, remembered for their transcendence and noble purpose, bringing joy to future generations—perhaps even resembling Bollywood’s hopeful narratives? Or is Sudanese politics doomed to remain trapped in the empty cycles of Hollywood’s dramas?

What do you think?