Contents:
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s
Messages (Vision and Ideology)
“The Qur’an is the
general code for the Muslims, a religious, social, civil, commercial, military,
judicial, criminal and penal code. It regulates everything, from the ceremonies
of religion to those of daily life, from the salvation of the soul to the
health of the body, from the rights of all to those of each individual from
morality to crime; from punishment here to that in the life to come, and our
Holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace by upon Him) has enjoined on us that every Muslim
should possess a copy of the Qur’an and be his own priest. Therefore, Islam is
not merely confined to the spiritual tenets and doctrines or ritual and
ceremonies. It is a complete code regulating the whole Muslim society, every
department of life, collective and individual.” -- Message on the occasion of
Eid-ul-Fitr in October 1941
***
“You are free to go
to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of
worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or
creed. That has nothing to do with the business of the State.”
“Man has indeed been called God’s Caliph in the Qur’an and if that description of man is to be of any significance it imposes upon us a duty to follow the Qur’an, to behave towards others as God behaves towards his mankind … All social regeneration and political freedom must finally depend on something that has deeper meaning in life. And that, if you allow me to say so, is Islam and Islamic spirit.” -- Message on Eid day Bombay13th November, 1939
***
“I have one
underlying principle in mind: the principle of Muslim democracy. It is my
belief that our salvation lies in following the golden rules of conduct set for
us by our great lawgiver, the Prophet of Islam. You will no doubt agree with me
that the first duty of a Government is to maintain law and order, so that the
life, property and religious beliefs of its subjects are fully protected by the
State.
“The second thing that occurs to me is this: One of the biggest curses from which India is suffering --I do not say that other countries are free from it, but, I think, our condition is much worse --is bribery and corruption. That really is a poison. We must put that down with an iron hand and I hope that you will take adequate measures as soon as it is possible for this Assembly to do so.
“Black marketing is another curse. Well, I know that black-marketers are frequently caught and punished. Judicial sentences are passed or sometimes fines only are imposed. Now you have to tackle this monster which today is a colossal crime against society, in our distressed conditions, when we constantly face shortage of food and other essential commodities of life. A citizen who does black-marketing commits, I think, a greater crime than the biggest and most grievous of crimes. These black-marketers are really knowing, intelligent and ordinarily responsible people, and when they indulge in black-marketing, I think they ought to be very severely punished, because they undermine the entire system of control and regulation of food-stuffs and essential commodities, and cause wholesale starvation and want and even death.
“The next thing that strikes me is this: Here again it is a legacy which has been passed on to us. Along with many other things, good and bad, has arrived this great evil --the evil of nepotism and jobbery. This evil must be crushed relentlessly. I want to make it quite clear that I shall never tolerate any kind of jobbery, nepotism or any influence directly or indirectly brought to bear upon me. Wherever I will find that such a practice is in vogue, or is continuing anywhere, low or high, I shall certainly not countenance it.” -- Presidential address to the first Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, Karachi, 11 August 1947
***
“I shall watch with keenness the
work of your Research Organization in evolving banking practices compatible
with Islamic ideas of social and economic life. The economic system of the West
has created almost insoluble problems for humanity and to many of us it appears
that only a miracle can save it from disaster that is not facing the world. It
has failed to do justice between man and man and to eradicate friction from the
international field. On the contrary, it was largely responsible for the two
world wars in the last half century. The Western world, in spite of its
advantages, of mechanization and industrial efficiency is today in a worse mess
than ever before in history. The adoption of Western economic theory and
practice will not help us in achieving our goal of creating a happy and contended
people. We must work our destiny in our
own way and present to the world an economic system based on true Islamic
concept of equality of manhood and social justice. We will thereby be
fulfilling our mission as Muslims and giving to humanity the message of peace
which alone can save it and secure the welfare, happiness and prosperity of
mankind.”—Address on occasion of
ceremony of state bank of Pakistan , July 1,1948
***
“When we say 'This flag (Muslim
League's flag) is the flag of Islam' they think we are introducing religion
into politics - a fact of which we are proud. Islam gives us a complete code.
It is not only religion but it contains laws, philosophy and politics. In fact,
it contains everything that matters to a man from morning to night. When we
talk of Islam we take it as all-embracing word. We do not mean any ill. The
foundation of our Islamic code is that we stand for liberty, equality and
fraternity.” --Address to the Gaya Muslim League Conference in January 1938
***
“The idea was that we should have a state in
which we could develop according to our own light and culture where principles
of Islamic social justice find free play.”-- October 11, 1947, in his address
to the officers of the Defense Services
***
“I cannot understand the logic
of those who have been deliberately and mischievously propagating that the
Constitution of Pakistan will not be based on Islamic Sharia. Islamic
principles today are as much applicable to life as they were 1300 years ago.”
“No doubt there are many people who do not quite appreciate when we talk of Islam. Some of our non-Muslim friends who do not quite appreciate when we talk of Islam. Islam is not only a set of rituals, traditions, and spiritual doctrines. Islam is a code for every Muslim, which regulates his life and his conduct in all aspects, social, political economic, etc. It is based on highest principles of honor, integrity, fair play and justice for all.”--Jan. 25th, 1948, Sindh Bar Association address
***
“We thank Providence for giving
us courage and faith to fight these forces of evil. If we take our inspiration
and guidance from the Holy Qur’an, the final victory I once again say will be
ours. You have only to develop the spirit of the mujahids. You are a nation
whose history is replete with people of wonderful grit, character and heroism.
Live up to your traditions and add to it another chapter of glory.”
“All I require of you now is that every one of us to whom this message reaches must vow to himself and be prepared to sacrifice his all, if necessary, in building up Pakistan as a bulwark of Islam and as one of the greatest nations whose ideal is peace within peace without.”
“Do not be afraid of death. Our religion teaches us to be always prepared for death. We should face it bravely to save the honor of Pakistan and Islam. There is no better salvation for a Muslim than the death of a martyr for a righteous cause.” --Oct. 30, 1947, rally at the University Stadium, Lahore
***
“Come forward as servants of
Islam. Organize the people economically, socially, educationally and
politically and I am sure that you will be a power accepted by everybody.”--
March 22, 1940, the presidential address on the opening of the All India Muslim
League 27th Session at Lahore
***
“Pakistan is not only practical
destination, actually it is only that destination, where you can save Islam
completely from destruction in this place.”-- Address to Aligarh University
Union, March 10, 1941
***
“I am confident that as we will
go forward, unity will grow more and more in use, one God, one Prophet, one
book (Qur’an), one Ummah (nation).” -- Address in Muslim League gathering,
April 4, 1943
***
“Meaning of making our
self-strong is to make our borders of Pakistan strong. In this way we will be
successful in our objective, our freedom, dignity, and respect. In this way we
will be getting high position of Islam, for that we are struggling now a days.”
“You attendees have requested for a message – what message I shall give you? We already have Holy Qur’an in a highest form of message, which is for guide and light for the path.” -- Address to the Frontier Students Federation tribal area, April, 1943
***
Q. When you are saying, the
Muslims are a nation. Is its meaning Religion?
Ans. “To some extent, but not
only that, I think in connection of life, it means everything which is
important in life. You should know that Islam is not only religious belief. It
is complete way of life. --In an interview with Burly Nicolus Jan 11, 1944
***
Pakistan not only means freedom
and independence but Muslims ideology which has to be preserved which has come
to us a precious gift and treasure and which we hope, others will share with us. --Address to Frontier Muslim Students
Federation on 18th June 1945
***
Our pledge is not to make rich
to richer, and not to confine wealth in few hands (Surah Hasher, Ayaat). We
will enhance the standard of living of people. Our Ideal is Islamic economy not
wealthiest (sermaya daary) and people benefit and welfare and their
interest/betterment (mifadaat) should remain in consideration continuously. --Address
in Delhi Nov. 6, 1944
***
Now Muslims have been realizing
their responsibilities in every and each aspect of life. All Muslims Know that
commandments of Holy Qur’an are not limited the basic collective law (mujmooaa
Qawaneen) from Auqyanoose Sea to Ganga River, not only religion, but is the
base of civil safety laws too. Allah (s.w.t.) gives us the rights of human body
and his wealth, all are implemented under them. In fact Qur’an is a collective
combination of laws which covers every occasion of a Muslim’s life, such as
religious, cultural, civil, economical, financial, military, justice system,
crimes, moral, rituals for happy celebrations, tragedies. It gives us the guide
lines of our everyday life – our physical fitness (body health) to success of
life after death. It is guidance for an individual as well as the whole
society. It teaches us good manners and tells us about the punishments of this
world and hereafter, if someone does crime. Our Prophet Mohammed peace be upon
him obligate us to follow the holy Qur’an our self and convey its message to
others too. That is why Islam is not confine to some religious prayers and
rituals; actually it is complete way of life, worldly and life after death. --Message
on Eid day Sept. 9, 1945
***
We have to connect ourselves
with Qur’an, Hadith and Islamic moral and values, in which is complete
guidance. If we represent it in right way and follow them. --Address on March
6, 1946
Brotherhood in Pakistan: a
Foundational Concept and a Personal Experience
“O mankind! Reverence your Guardian-Lord, who created you from a single
person, created, of like nature, His mate, and from them twain scattered (like
seeds) countless men and women.” (Qur’an, 4:1)
“Mankind was one
single nation.” (Holy Qur’an, 2:213)
“O mankind! We created you from a
single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes,
that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the
most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of
you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).”
(Holy Qur’an, 49:13)
“We are now all Pakistanis — not Baluchis, Pathans, Sindhis,
Bengalis, Punjabis and so on — and as Pakistanis we must feet behave and act,
and we should be proud to be known as Pakistanis and nothing else.” --Quaid-e-Azam
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, June 15th, 1948
Quaid-e- Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah awakened Muslims, united
them and created a strong public and Islamic democratic leadership. As a
result, after partition of India, most of the Muslims migrated to Pakistan at
that time. Naturally, they were welcomed with great hospitality and brotherhood
in the spirit of Islam and they became legal residents.
As example, I would like to describe my migration to
Pakistan from Delhi in September, 1947, and becoming a Pakistani Resident; I
was seven years old. We reached Mianwali, a city of Punjab, by airplane in the
afternoon. At once we saw that the residents came to welcome us. They
accommodated all of us in a big guest house with excellent hospitality and real
love and brotherhood.
We saw that ladies started to cook food and prepare bread
with their hands on hot iron sheets. Just after Maghrib prayer, a good dinner
was served.
In addition to food, the people of Mianwali offered us
abandoned houses and businesses of Hindus who had migrated to India. Some asked
my father to take over an ice factory left by a Hindu. My parents had already
made up their minds to reside in Karachi. So, we informed them of our
intentions to go to Karachi, the capital of Pakistan at that time. In the
morning, they served a very lavish breakfast for us with big glasses of milk.
They saw us off courteously from the Mianwali train station and had armed
guards accompany us for our safety to the next station.
When the train stopped at any stations of Punjab and Sindh,
people welcomed us and offered free food and water. When we reached Karachi, my
father’s cousin came to receive us at the station and we stayed at his
residence for a few days till we made arrangements for our own home.
Pir Ilahi Bucksh, a Sindhi leader and big landlord who was
in the first ministry too, donated a part of his agricultural land next to his
residence for immigrant housing. A
contractor built resident quarters, a mosque and a school. It was given the
name Pir Illahi Bucksh Colony. My father booked a quarter in that colony and
purchased it at the very low cost of Rs.2500 and Rs.1500 of Development
charges.
Other immigrants also lived there: Sindhis, Balochis, Aga Khanis, Punjabis, Pukhtoons, Bangalis, Hindus, Christians, and Parsis, among others. Everyone resided in the neighborhood with brotherhood; they were loving, co-operative, sincere, social, caring, and helpful to each other. Similar emotions of brotherhood and unity was sensed across Pakistan. If I could compare it, I would say that it created the same feelings as the Muslim citizens of Madina embraced the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his companions. They established mutual brotherly relations on the basis of sincere love and sacrifice, equality of race and birth, exchange of love and respect, propagation of truth, holiness and virtue, liking and adopting of the righteous ideal and its propagation. Allah has praised them in the Qur’an:
Other immigrants also lived there: Sindhis, Balochis, Aga Khanis, Punjabis, Pukhtoons, Bangalis, Hindus, Christians, and Parsis, among others. Everyone resided in the neighborhood with brotherhood; they were loving, co-operative, sincere, social, caring, and helpful to each other. Similar emotions of brotherhood and unity was sensed across Pakistan. If I could compare it, I would say that it created the same feelings as the Muslim citizens of Madina embraced the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his companions. They established mutual brotherly relations on the basis of sincere love and sacrifice, equality of race and birth, exchange of love and respect, propagation of truth, holiness and virtue, liking and adopting of the righteous ideal and its propagation. Allah has praised them in the Qur’an:
“And [also for] those
who were settled in al-Madinah and [adopted] the faith before them. They love
those who emigrated to them and find not any want in their breasts of what the
emigrants were given but give [them] preference over themselves, even though
they are in privation. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul
- it is those who will be the successful.” (Qur’an, 59:9)
Allah’s Prophet has said:
It is not permissible
for a Muslim that he should frighten any Muslim. (Abu Daud)
Results of turning away from main
idea of the foundation of Pakistan
On August 14, 1947, the new state of Pakistan came into
existence as an independent nation for Muslims from the regions in the east and
west of the Subcontinent where there was a Muslim majority. Religious freedom
for the Muslims and other minorities was the main idea behind the foundation of
Pakistan. The Quaid did not subscribe to secularism in any of his speeches or
any of his writings. He never said that Pakistan shall be a secular state or
that Pakistan’s constitution shall be secular.
But, unfortunately, right after the foundation, some factors turned
against the main idea of the foundation of Pakistan, imitated the culture and
way of life that is prevalent in the west, and adopted secular ideologies and
systems of government to administer their collective affairs. They very slowly
penetrated like a parasite into the system, which was in its developing stages.
They forgot to protect what they had rightfully earned.
“Whoever breaks the
covenant of Allah after contracting it and sever that which Allah has ordered
to be joined and cause corruption on earth. It is those who are the losers.”
(Holy Qur’an, 2: 27)
Post-Independence History of Pakistan
As a result, the post-independence history of Pakistan has
been characterized by periods of military rule and political instability. On
October 7, 1958, Iskander Mirza enforced the first Martial Law in Pakistan with
the help of Ayub Khan. Ayub Khan was designated as the Chief Martial Law
Administrator. Ayub Khan snatched away Mirza’s powers and assumed charge as the
President of Pakistan, in addition to his role as Chief Martial Law
Administrator. Later on he gave himself the rank of Field Marshal.
After defeating Fatima Jinnah in the controversial
presidential elections of 1965, Ayub’s standing began to slide amid allegations
of widespread vote rigging. The turning point in his rule was the
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. Many Pakistanis considered the signing of a peace agreement
with India to end the war an embarrassing compromise and demonstrations across
the country over rising prices, including those led by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto,
increased dramatically from 1967 onwards. Bhutto founded the PPP in 1967. In 1969, Ayub resigned and handed over power
to General Yahya Khan, who declared martial law for the second time.
The general elections were held on Dec.7, 1970. However,
Sheikh Mujib’s Awami League won an absolute majority in the legislature,
receiving more than twice as many votes as Bhutto’s PPP. The leftist and
Bhutto’s party won a large number of seats from constituencies in
West-Pakistan. Bhutto refused to accept
an Awami League government and famously promised to “break the legs” of any
elected PPP member who dared to attend the inaugural session of the National
Assembly. In fact, Bhutto suggested that Sheikh Mujib can be the leader of East
Pakistan while Bhutto should govern West Pakistan – such an idea was definitely
against Pakistani unity. Ultimately, the two-nation theory led to the secession
of East Pakistan and the birth of Bangladesh. Yahya resigned on December 20,
1971, and transferred power to Bhutto who became president, commander-in-chief
and the first civilian chief martial law administrator.
Democracy resumed from 1972 to 1977 under leftist PPP led by
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto as prime minister. Corruption and several social problems
in the country grew, turning the masses against PPP. Bhutto was vanquished by
General Zia-ul-Haq, who became the country’s third military president. With the
death of President Zia-ul-Haq in 1988, the new general elections announced the
victory of PPP led by Benazir Bhutto who was elevated as the country's first
female Prime Minister of Pakistan. Yet,
on August 6,1990, Benazir Bhutto's government was dismissed on charges of
incompetence and corruption.
In the 1990s, Pakistan saw a shaky succession of
governments, and the country’s political and economic situation became worse.
Benazir Bhutto was prime minister twice and deposed twice and Nawaz Sharif
three times, until he was deposed in a coup on Oct. 12, 1999, by Gen. Pervez
Musharraf; thus military came to power again. In April, 2002, Gen. Musharraf
won another five years in office in a referendum criticized as unconstitutional
and fraught with irregularities. The unpopular war in Afghanistan, suspension
of chief justice, and state emergency had weakened Musharraf.
The left oriented PPP and conservative PML won majority of seats together in the election 2008 and formed a coalition government. A massive left-wing alliance led by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani ousted Pervez Musharraf. Asif Zardari, the husband of Benazir Bhutto, succeeded Musharraf after his resignation on August 18, 2008 as President. No doubt, Zardari was elected based on the fact that Benazir Bhutto had been assassinated on Dec. 27, 2007.
The general elections held on May 11, 2013, were noted for
the usual rigging and bogus voting. Many citizens witnessed the corruption and
reported it widely on social media, some with video evidence. Nonetheless, this
election marked the return of PML(N) Nawaz Sharif as Prime Minister.
“A cursory review of the first 17 months of the PML-N government only throws up stories of back-breaking inflation, unprecedented increase in electricity and gas prices, and shrinking employment opportunities,” said an official summarizing the performance of his party’s government. On the popularity side, the party has already hit rock bottom.
The massacre of a number people by the Punjab police in
June, 2014, caused a furor, leading to the civil disobedience protests
(“dharnas”) of Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri. Despite the revolution they
promised, little happened in terms of actual change.
A Ship in Danger
At this point in time, the physical and moral existence of
Pakistan looks to be in great danger. On the internal front, Baloch, Sindhi and
Pashtun nationalisms are at their peak.
Since creation of Pakistan, it is like a ship in which the
people on the lower level start making a hole when they want water, just to
fulfill their desire without even thinking that this can cause the entire boat
to sink. Selfish leaders, politicians, their workers, establishment and those
people who only think about their own benefit are damaging the country, instead
of struggling to achieve their real destination. They are following the wrong
direction as influenced by world powers. As a result, they are diverted to love
of this world to an extreme and are ready to do anything for material gain,
whether wrong or right. No one is thinking about life after death – the abode
of a permanently happy life. Our ship is being shaken by a storm. Alas, the
nation is going towards destruction.
Our work should be to awaken our people, inspire our hearts
and motivate the various communities living in Pakistan, and undo the damage by
returning to the basics: iman (belief) and love of Allah (swt). Only Allah
(swt) is our Anchor who can save the ship from sinking. First iman (belief)
must be installed in the people, and then their morals should be purified. So
that good deeds grow and bad deeds diminish.
Many people might, at this point, argue that the vast
majority of Pakistanis already have iman – however, when we talk of iman, we
should not talk of only lip service. Iman has so much to do with action: our
behavior, our policies should be informed by our iman. When properly
established, our iman will automatically enable us to protect the minority
populations in Pakistan, just as our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) enjoined us to do.
It will empower us to give due rights to every province, so that unity and
brotherhood will grow. It will ensure that we will work to end injustice and
corruption and create a more just and humane society, as per the guidelines of
the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
This, indeed, is true iman, one that is based not just on
words but action as well.
Guidance from the Holy Qur’an
7:95-99: Then We
changed their suffering into prosperity, until they grew and multiplied, and
began to say: "Our fathers (too) were touched by suffering and
affluence" ... Behold! We called them to account of a sudden, while they
realised not (their peril).
If the people of the
towns had but believed and feared Allah, We should indeed have opened out to
them (All kinds of) blessings from heaven and earth; but they rejected (the
truth), and We brought them to book for their misdeeds. Did the people of the
towns feel secure against the coming of Our wrath by night while they were
asleep?
Or else did they feel
secure against its coming in broad daylight while they played about
(care-free)?Did they then feel secure against the plan of Allah?- but no one
can feel secure from the Plan of Allah, except those (doomed) to ruin!
2:205: And when he goes away, he strives throughout
the land to cause corruption therein and destroy crops and animals. And Allah
does not like corruption.
16:112: And Allah
presents an example: a city which was safe and secure, its provision coming to
it in abundance from every location, but it denied the favors of Allah. So
Allah made it taste the envelopment of hunger and fear for what they had been
doing.
3:135: And those who,
when they commit an immorality or wrong themselves [by transgression], remember
Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins - and who can forgive sins except
Allah?and [who] do not persist in what they have done while they know.
3:105: And do not be
like the ones who became divided and differed after the clear proofs had come
to them. And those will have a great punishment.
7:168: And We divided
them throughout the earth into nations. Of them some were righteous, and of
them some were otherwise. And we tested them with good [times] and bad that
perhaps they would return [to obedience].
2:208 O you who have
believed, enter into Islam completely [and perfectly] and do not follow the
footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.
3:114: They believe in
Allah and the Last Day, and they enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong
and hasten to good deeds. And those are among the righteous.
7:170: But those who
hold fast to the Book and establish prayer - indeed, we will not allow to be lost
the reward of the reformers.
3:115: And whatever
good they do - never will it be removed from them. And Allah knows of the
righteous.
3:131: And fear the
Fire, which has been prepared for the disbelievers.
2:112: Yes [on the
contrary], whoever submits his face in Islam to Allah while being a doer of
good will has his reward with his Lord? And no fears will there be concerning
them, nor will they grieve.
3:133: And hasten to
forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth,
prepared for the righteous.
3:134: Who spend [in
the cause of Allah] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who
pardon the people - and Allah loves the doers of good.
3:136: Those - their
reward is forgiveness from their Lord and gardens beneath which rivers flow [in
Paradise], wherein they will abide eternally; and excellent is the reward of
the [righteous] workers.
3:137: Similar
situations [as yours] have passed on before you, so proceed throughout the
earth and observe how the end of those who denied was.
Framework and methodology to achieve
the Objectives and Destination for Pakistan
A Framework for Personal Development
We are having seminars, conventions and conferences for
positive change in the society, but we do not get any results, except the empty
words and passionate speeches. The change always starts from our own selves,
from inside. To improve the society, an individual should improve himself.
“Indeed, Allah will
not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.”
(Qur’an, 13: 11)
An important task of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was to
enlighten people through purification of their inner-selves and teaching them
Allah’s guidance and wisdom.
“Certainly did Allah confer [great] favor upon
the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from themselves, reciting to
them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book and wisdom,
although they had been before in manifest error.” (Holy Qur’an, 3: 164)
The framework comprised of five dimensions for producing a
balanced and flexible, comprehensive, personal development program:
1. Basic
Islamic development (faith, morals, basic practices, knowledge and character
development).
2. Spiritual
development (inner change and purification).
3. Human
resource development (producing competitive competence developing skills and
specialization and gaining a deep understanding of society and its
functioning).
4. Social
development (development of strong inter-personal relations and social skills).
5. Organizational
training which includes self-discipline, accountability, adherence to
organizational procedures, shura skills (effective meeting skills),
strengthening of the brotherhood and sisterhood.
The scope and objective of personal development
1. Producing
inner change: this includes the
cultivation of Islamic faith, values and morals, better attitudes and an
upright character, purification of the soul from greed, hatred, envy and other
negative emotions, sincere intention, spirit of sacrifice and brotherhood and
sisterhood.
2. Clarification
of the Islamic vision and developing a sense of mission.
3. Developing
knowledge and understanding of Islam, society and the physical environment.
4. Developing
social and practical skills, experience and wisdom.
5. Developing
leadership skills and competencies
In the light of the above, the objective of personal
development becomes clear; it is to nurture and produce the following inner and
outer qualities and characteristics that arise from a Muslim’s faith and values
(these elucidated by the Qur’an in numerous places):
• Muslim, one who submits to Allah alone.
• Mumin, one who has strong faith and
conviction in Allah.
• Mutaqi, one who loves and fears God
(God-consciousness).
• Mohsin, one who excels in good works
and aims for excellence in all actions and deeds.
• Mujahid, one who strives for God’s
cause with sincerity and devotion.
• Salih, one who lives a righteous life.
• Saddiq, one who is truthful and honest
in all actions and dealing
• Shahid, one who is a witness of Islam.
• Daya, one who invites people to Islam
through their words and good action.
Indeed, the Muslim men
and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and
obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and
patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and
charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their
private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and
the women who do so - for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great
reward. (Holy Qur’an 33: 35)
Allah commands
justice, the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin, and He forbids all
shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you, that ye may
receive admonition. (Holy Qur’an 16:90).
Thus personal development from an Islamic perspective is
broad and balanced and incorporates the enhancement of human qualities and
potential to the full, for the service of humanity. Its objective is to
facilitate people in becoming effective and exemplary witnesses of Islam in
society.
Establishment of a Just Society
(Iqamat ad-din)
Everyone is dissatisfied with the present situation and
agree upon the reasons of the unstable condition of the country. It is our duty
that for its survival we should stand up and fulfill our rights and duties with
responsibilities to accomplish Pakistan - Vision, Objective, and Destination as
envisioned at the creation of Pakistan.
The prophet Muhammad (pbuh) actually succeeded in
establishing a just society based on God’s revealed guidance. Islamic values
and principles were instituted in all spheres and systems of life during his
life time. An Islamic society and state was first established in Medina, then
later in other places that become part of Muslim land.
“It is Allah who sent
His messenger with guidance and the True Way so that he may make it prevail
over all other (corrupt) ways.” (Qur’an, 61: 9)
“And obey Allah and
the Messenger that you may obtain mercy.” (Qur’an, 3: 132)
“This [Qur’an] is a
clear statement to [all] the people and a guidance and instruction for those
conscious of Allah .” (Qur’an, 3: 138)
There must be direct attention towards the affair of the
society and state, the current ills must be diagnosed thoroughly and formulate
effective solutions to social problems in the light of the Islamic guidance.
This stage of the process encompasses the enjoining of moral and equitable
practices, establishing good tradition and fair social and economic policies,
political systems and law and order with justice in which committing bad deeds
would be difficult and doing good deeds would be easy.
And in this way, we will
close the door which allows crime and immorality to thrive. Indeed, the time is
not far when Pakistanis will utilize positive and alternate ways by using their
natural resources, skills and abilities to establish an ideal society
independently without any foreign interest and interferences. Only then can we
go towards a better destination, one which will lead us to unity, prosperity,
and a simpler life.
A Practical Framework for positive
change: A Ten-Point Agenda
The individuals, who are conscious of their mission in life
and want to achieve the vision, objectives and destination of Pakistan, must
come together, should unite and with their joint efforts launch movement for
this purpose, cry out and carry out the message from every home and market
square. The current ills must be diagnosed thoroughly.
“Let there arise out
of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining
Al-Ma'ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and
forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islam has
forbidden). And it is they who are the successful.” (Qur’an, 3: 104)
First of all, it is necessary that there should be unity on
Pakistan’s actual objective, its destination and preferences. Those all
religious and political people who share common belief on Islam, democracy,
justice, self-independence and what is desirable of common interest, come near
to each other and a positive change has to be planned, executed, effectively
managed and engineered. Furthermore, change should be purposive – that is a –
movement towards the norm. Qu’ran says:
“Verily! Allah will
not change the good condition of a people as long as they do not change their
state of goodness themselves (by committing sins and by being ungrateful and
disobedient to Allah). But when Allah wills a people's punishment, there can be
no turning back of it, and they will find besides Him no protector.”
(Qur’an, 13: 11)
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah awoke Muslims and united
them and created a strong awareness. Today again, we are in need of awakening
people through democratic means and unite them and activate them with the
purpose of the creation of Pakistan. This is the only way we can face the
mischiefs of our own country and outside the country through awareness of
people and capitalizing on their disciplined power.
A second basic need is the right vision of the leadership.
The nation has been cheated too many times by social and political elites. Now,
it is necessity for developing and nurturing good individuals as well as
establishing a just social life based on God’s revealed guidance, with the sole
intention of seeking the good pleasure of Allah in this life and in the life hereafter.
Then, new, pure, good moral and pious leadership can be developed from the
people which fulfills the constitution of Pakistan’s clause of the amendments
62-63 in terms of morals, character and responsibility of giving answers for any
wrong working. People and Election commission should have the right to
establish the amendment as once said by federal sharia court in one of his
decision that this clause be implemented. This is the best filter, through
which best leadership can come up -- a fair a high level of competence in
communication, planning and organizing potential s, maturity and ability to
take responsibility seriously.
A third item is to establish a national standard of manners,
informed with wisdom, which should be firmly followed by all political parties,
press and media. A lot of work has been performed in the past. The guidance for
this exists in our constitution, the need is to agree jointly to enable an
effective system that is designed to be implemented by the court or any
national institution, and not just exist on paper.
A fourth idea is correction of election system for a purely
fair election. The election commission should be selected with consultation and
mutual agreement of the government and important opposition. Election should be
under a neutral care taker government of good, moral character and pure
leadership responsible of giving answer for any wrong doing. It is necessary to
rethink the duration of assembly from 5 years to 4 years, so that it can be
judged in fewer periods.
A fifth concept is to make N.A .P. effectively responsible
for accountability. It should have the right to question and to punish the
elected person and the government official’s misuse of his power for his
personal gain, bribe for personal use, and any person from public or opposition
affected any way and it should also have the right to punish them.
A sixth proposal, according to the constitution, is to
transfer the powers to states and local bodies to strength them and make them
effective so senate can be useful in this concern.
A seventh suggestion is freedom of independent juridical
system, separate from establishment to make its decision fairly.
An eighth initiative should be the institutionalization of
independent civil establishment and police without influence and interference
of ruling party for their fair working. They should not be a tool or misused
politically or illegally by the ruling party.
A ninth solution is to finish the corruption from the nation
at every level.
The last and very important objective is implementation of a
new cultural and economic policy, whose objective is to promote education, to
provide medical facilities, end poverty and unemployment and create new jobs
and such economic policies which can crush interest, gambling and other unjust
activities going on in society. Wealth distribution be distributed justly and a
common person should be able to have all basic needs of living.
These are the ten points; if the whole nation follows we can
again achieve the Islamic State in which every person leads a happy and
satisfied life.
“And if the people of
the towns had believed and had the Taqwa (piety), certainly, we should have
opened for them blessings from the heaven and the earth, but they belied (the
Messengers). So we took them (with punishment) for what they used to earn
(polytheism and crimes, etc.).” (Holy Qur’an, 7: 96)
"Our Lord,
forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts
[any] resentment toward those who have believed. Our Lord, indeed You are Kind
and Merciful." (Holy Qur’an, 59: 10)
(The writer is indebted to the following works that he
referred to in writing this article: "Vision for Pakistan in the Words of
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah," "Tarjuman-e-Quran," and Building a New Society
by Zahid Pervez.)
