I have been fortunate enough to travel to many countries and in all my years abroad, one of the most powerful things that have struck me is the self-reliance of certain nations. I have always harboured a dream of a self-supporting Pakistan whose people fend for themselves but it does not just stop there; I want us to not just paddle our own canoe but also lend a helping hand to those in need. The first step towards materializing this dream, at least within our own community, is earning a lawful income. Allah says in the glorious Quran: ‘And made the day for livelihood.’1
Striving for subsistence is in itself an act of worship. Earn with the intention to serve others and innumerable blessings will follow. I hold the following hadith in highest regard: ‘The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions.’2
Imagine each of us spending from the wealth we have with an intention to uplift our less-fortunate fellow human beings! We would be on the road to a self-reliant nation in no time at all. We are guided in the Quran: “And spend of your substance in the cause of Allah, and make not your own hands contribute to (your) destruction; but do good; for Allah loves those who do good.”3
This good – the act of giving - can only happen if we shed our cloak of self- centeredness and transform into principle-centered human beings who realize the potential of our country’s vast resources and harness them for their own benefit as well as the benefit of others. We need to be role models not just on personal level but on a national scale as well – a welfare model state that extends generous aids to nations irrespective of their religion or race. Let us live up to the hadith: “The hand which gives is better than one which takes.”4
History is the best teacher. Read about how successful nations and their people changed the course of entire history and gained true independence – independence from selfishness to become self-reliant nations. It begins with one person. Let us be generous, not just with money but with our intelligence as well. Let us offer our mind, body and wealth to help others grow for the collective good of all mankind.
Surah An-Naba 78:11
Sahih Al Bukhari: Vol 1, Book 1 – The Book of Revelation – Chapter 1, Hadith 1
Surah Al-Baqara 2:195
Sahih Al Bukhari No. (1427) and Muslim No. (2433)
I have been fortunate enough to travel to many countries and in all my years abroad, one of the most powerful things that have struck me is the self-reliance of certain nations. I have always harboured a dream of a self-supporting Pakistan whose people fend for themselves but it does not just stop there; I want us to not just paddle our own canoe but also lend a helping hand to those in need. The first step towards materializing this dream, at least within our own community, is earning a lawful income. Allah says in the glorious Quran: ‘And made the day for livelihood.’1
Striving for subsistence is in itself an act of worship. Earn with the intention to serve others and innumerable blessings will follow. I hold the following hadith in highest regard: ‘The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions.’2
Imagine each of us spending from the wealth we have with an intention to uplift our less-fortunate fellow human beings! We would be on the road to a self-reliant nation in no time at all. We are guided in the Quran: “And spend of your substance in the cause of Allah, and make not your own hands contribute to (your) destruction; but do good; for Allah loves those who do good.”3
This good – the act of giving - can only happen if we shed our cloak of self- centeredness and transform into principle-centered human beings who realize the potential of our country’s vast resources and harness them for their own benefit as well as the benefit of others. We need to be role models not just on personal level but on a national scale as well – a welfare model state that extends generous aids to nations irrespective of their religion or race. Let us live up to the hadith: “The hand which gives is better than one which takes.”4
History is the best teacher. Read about how successful nations and their people changed the course of entire history and gained true independence – independence from selfishness to become self-reliant nations. It begins with one person. Let us be generous, not just with money but with our intelligence as well. Let us offer our mind, body and wealth to help others grow for the collective good of all mankind.
Surah An-Naba 78:11
Sahih Al Bukhari: Vol 1, Book 1 – The Book of Revelation – Chapter 1, Hadith 1
Surah Al-Baqara 2:195
Sahih Al Bukhari No. (1427) and Muslim No. (2433)