The road to development and prosperity, whether for an individual or a community is a difficult one, slippery and surrounded by thorny bushes. Even a single wrong step is likely to cause a slip with the object receding; inept, poor planning, short sighted vision or adopting a wrong direction is bound to lead one to go astray and never reach the destination. As such each and every step has to be planned carefully with all available inputs and undertaken with due caution after fixing the goal wisely, taking into consideration factors such as one’s resources, capacity, surroundings and prevalent forces aiding in the realisation of the stated goal or those creating hurdles.
In view of the above facts no set formula can be prescribed for all sections of Muslims to be adopted uniformly to improve their lot in the prevailing dismaying scenario as no size of cap can fit every head. This is so as different people are endowed with different talents and have varying fields of action.
CRYING NEED
By the turn of historical events they find themselves at the bottom of the economic, social, educational and political rung. The Qur’ān beautifully describes this cycle of change. It says: …These are (only) the vicissitudes which We cause to follow one another for mankind, to the end that Allāh may know those who believe and choose witness from among you…(3:40).
Being Muslims, it is absolutely essential that pursuit of progress and development remains within the permissible parameters of the Islamic beliefs and conduct expected of a true Muslim who never lets go of his faith in Allāh, Akhirah and spirit of exemplary conduct of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) which the Qur’ān has described to be the ideal (uswa-e-hasna) for every human being. The wretched economic condition of the majority of co-religionists raises many questions about the adoptability of tested and tried normal routes of development and uplift education, employment-oriented training, aspiring for excellence in their field of activity, hard work, sincerity and zeal, etc. Thus the economic riddance from exploitation of colossal proportion becomes one of the most important hurdles to be tackled. This view is strengthened in the light of the famous saying of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) regarding means of sustenance which implies that economic destitution drives a man towards kufr.
Who can deny that a man suffering the pangs of hunger thinks of his bread only? He has nothing to do with the social or religious concepts of self-respect, morality or ethical standards. These terms are too-far-fetched ideas to be thought about or acted upon. Poverty is the biggest curse.
SOLUTION
The question of finding a solution can be considered at different levels. Agenda for action can be finalised considering this community to be a group of people fighting for preservation of physical self through wise multi-pronged comprehensive planning. Yet another attempt could be to consider Muslim Ummah as one having certain principles and viewpoints, their distinct civilisation and culture. Its perceived legacy of a glorious past impels it to have its own identity. Yet another level of thinking gives due recognition to the claim of this Ummah to be one with a message for the whole humanity, as a torch bearer, a possessor of a befitting code of conduct for every occasion and every walk of life. People restricting their thinking to the first level will have all their attention fixed on the objective of earning enough to preserve life by fulfilling its basic needs of food, clothing, shelter and a few more related to physical health, etc. The biting sting of circumstances shall not allow them to think of higher values of life. Whether the Ummah they belong to is in a good or bad state as regards goodness and purity of action or its usefulness to society will be of no consequence to them and therefore of no concern.
The people having second level of thinking will care and work for the enforcement of needed reforms. They will also endeavour to bring in stability in the society and strive for its political, cultural and economic freedom. Such thinking ignores the bitter truth of national democratic system wherein no minority group can play a decisive role as it leads to polarisation of opposite forces as the steady rise of BJP in Parliament from mere two members in 1984 to 182 in 1999 proves beyond doubt. Yearning of greater political representation in Parliament, assemblies and other civic bodies in the fond hope that a larger share in political power or greater presence in bureaucracy will help them achieve their objective of upliftment of the community is a mirage.
NECESSARY ATTRIBUTES
Some capabilities are needed to use the means and resources of the world. In the absence of an alternative to the existing system of education, full use must be made of the existing educational facilities available with us. This will help uplift the majority part of our community which, based on the existing indices of measuring a community’s state of development, is in dire need of a helping hand from the well-to-do and economically resourceful sections of the Muslim society and the government. In this context, it is extremely imperative that ‘haves’ come to the rescue of ‘have nots’. This requires correct orientation of thinking for the affluent sections of Muslims, to shell out some of their wealth for the noble cause of providing succour to the destitute. This will earn them God’s pleasure in this world and unimaginable reward in the world hereafter.
It is pertinent to point out that ignorance about government schemes in different spheres of trade, industry and training for jobs is great. This results in not availing these available facilities. It is a fact that Muslims have been traditionally good artisans and workmen such as carpenters, masons, mechanics, welders, tailors, embroiders, dancers, drivers and repair workers, etc.
Given needed financial help to urn their own work, they will not only have gainful work for themselves but can absorb others also. Those who cannot start or sustain their own business or trade can acquire proficiency in their skills to earn higher wages and thus raise their economic stability through training imparted at Government Industrial Training Institutes or similar Government institutions. Given the present socio-economic status of the community, austerity must be practised by doing away with wasteful expenditure on social functions. Many Muslims can have better opportunities to raise their financial status provided they show alertness, promptness and willingness to accept changes taking place around us.
ESSENTIAL PREREQUISITES
For success in any field one has to be hardworking, punctual, responsible and ever-eager to learn new technology. One has to plan one’s future right from early days in school by assessing one’s resources – physical, mental, attitudinal and financial – required for a particular trade or line of work. For being successful one has to show one’s fitness for the job by one’s willingness and ability to learn. Absenteeism at work, irregularity, lack of interest, etc. close the doors of a bright future. Presence of these traits is required at all levels of education whether primary, secondary or higher education also. Assessed critically, the general performance of the students of Muslim Ummah leaves much to be done. One must learn these basic lessons quite early in life that there is no short-cut to success. This lesson must be learnt early in life. Unplanned career is like boarding a train without knowing its destination. Can such a conduct achieve desired results of progress?
MUSLIMS AS MISSIONARIES
The real status of Muslim Ummah is that of a chosen Ummah evolved for the betterment of mankind. As such it is not merely a group of people, nor a group of people having set principles ordained to be followed by the group having distinct culture and civilisation, differentiable from others but of one having lofty mission of inviting others to the ways of goodness, of shirking evil, in their best interests, by themselves becoming a role model. It is thus evident that an agenda for the noble cause of liberating it from the clutches of poverty and wayward conduct and putting it on road to honourable life and prosperity will have to be within the four walls of the Qur’ān and Hadith. It is abundantly clear that any transgression or crossing of the permissible limits in observation of Divine Laws, as was the case of Bani Israil (2:61) invites Allāh’s wrath. The fact is that this unique and unmatched status of Muslims does not clash with the earlier stated two positions needing economic means and sticking to certain principles which cannot be compromised – the principle evolving from Divine Guidance and Prophetic conduct, a light house for steering all ships to safe shores.
In the light of the above, the agenda will have to give priorities to the stipulated role of Khair-e-Ummah and its requirements of world leadership, i.e. indomitable, lofty targets, self-confidence, self-dependence, broad vision, steadfastness, ceaseless effort, fortitude and patience in the face of reverses, readiness to sacrifice comforts and luxuries to reach the targeted role. Above all the agenda should be such as to churn out men with glittering leadership qualities, persuasive exposition and amicable temperament to act as a magnet attracting ferrous elements and galvanising men to selfless action without creating ill-will, bitterness or animosity even among opponents. The exalted position of Ummah requires it to be a strong votary of peace and justice everywhere, crusader for uprooting of evil and transgression, and establishment of justice, refinement of morals and stress on adopting judicious conduct in human dealings, and organised efforts to arrange for educational and economic betterment.
So far as worldly success is concerned, there are set rules to achieve it. Success becomes the lot of an individual or a group of people who has firm belief in the objective and modus operandi adopted to achieve it and endeavours ceaselessly with single minded devotion. Those not having faith in God and Day of Judgement are firm in their resolve to earn worldly benefits unperturbed by the accountability which a true Muslim can never ignore. They do not obey Allāh, nor do they entertain any fear of punishment in hereafter. As such they continue to march undisturbed on their chosen path and achieve worldly success. A true believer cannot bargain for these worldly allurements at the cost of great loss when final judgement is pronounced by Allāh.
While striving for success we cannot lose sight of the Qur’ān which says: We shall certainly test you by afflicting fear, hunger, loss of properties and lives and fruits upon you. Give glad tidings, then, to those who remain patient (2:156).