The Anatomy of Corruption
“The concept of the imperceptible is a decisive factor distinguishing man from
animal”, said Syed Qutab. Translated in Muslim spiritual parlance, it is God
consciousness orTaqwa.Itprovides a strong defence against thebaser human
instincts of slipping back into animalism or Jahiliya, characterized by
unbridledgreed forzar, zan and zameen, (wealth, women and land).
A religion must have element of ‘the Holy’ as its central theme – the Holy God,
the Holy Prophet. All religions create a culture. An ‘ism’, a philosophy or an
ideology also moulds life into a certain pattern like‘Socialism’ and creates a
culture of its own,but has no spiritual claims.It is the religion alone that
creates and demands the awareness of the imperceptible. Thethree Abrahamic
religions have the essential of‘holy’ as the focal point in their religious
lexicon.This is what creates the difference between a believer and a
non-believer.
Man makes laws as a social necessity. God has made laws to govern the universe.
Physical or scientific laws like gravity; these are inviolable, compelling
andcontrol the universe. A parallel set of laws,‘the spiritual laws’ are
contained in the scriptures. These are not immediately applicable but remain
unescapable. Their manifestations areslow, subtle but sure. Peopledescribe these
as ‘Poetic justice’, ‘Divine Justice’ or ‘deus ex machina’.
The scriptures, the Prophets and the saints elaborate the spiritual laws as
Divine principles and traditions. God emphasizes, “And never will you find in
the way of Allah any change”(48:23). Patience is His essence. He has granted us
unlimited personal freedom. We make the choice, Good or Evil, Honour or
disgrace.
To deliberately sin is to defy God. While in rebellion a Momin ceases to be a
believer. Persistence with the sin triggers off repercussions, reactions
opposite and equal to the actions. We learn that arrogance results in ignominy;
adultery invites violence and usurpation of others’ rights ushers in misery and
disorder.
Corruption is a multi-dimensional evil. It defies Allah and His Prophet (PBUH)
and alsoflouts public laws. It is coercive, exploitative and when it comes to
embezzlement of public exchequer,it adds another heinous side to it – breach of
a sacred trust. Worst of all,it creates unnatural inequality.
The family of the corruptsuffers multiple psychological and spiritual wounds. It
induces a false sense of wellbeing in the family directly affecting
thechildren’spsychology, drastically reducing their pain thresh-hold and
resilience. It causes inexplicable moral and physical degradation in the coming
generations.The absence of God’s grace is evident in the life of the corrupt.
Happiness and peace of mind deserts him and his loved ones.
According to the Prophet (PBUH), a leader or ruler is like a shepherd for his
people. His entire focus is to safely lead his flock to greener pastures. In
Islam, a ruler is only a trustee of the resources that actually belong to his
people. He is allowed to spend on himself onlythe minimum for subsistence.
Hazarat Abu Bakr while dying returned all the stipend drawn from Bait-ul-Maal as
he thought he could have actually lived without it. Jinnah drew only one Rupee
as token salary, because he had enough of his own to meet his personal expenses.
A corrupt Muslim ruler is doubly unfortunate as he has to be answerable to God
and also his people.
We commit excesses on others. We derive material and sadistic pleasure. Allah
says we instead excess against ourselves. “Tell them, (O’ Prophet): “My servants
who have committed excesses against themselves”(39:53). All the evil and good we
invest is returned with interest. How and when? Individual experiences vary. One
has to keep eyes wide open. Usually, indicators come as warnings until the
inevitable strikes. Then it is too late to repent.
The enormity of Natural Forces around us makes us feel helpless, mere slaves of
a pre-destined scheme. The notion is downright passive, pitiful. We live in a
neighborhood and follow its by-laws. On our planet we must also obey God’s laws
for continued human existence. God gives all the rope to a man, to either hang
himself with it or enjoy playing by the rules of the game. It is absolutely
freewill. Dumping every good and bad on the destiny is running away from our
responsibilities. Some occurrences, like where we are born are not in our
control but are insignificant. History is replete with examples where the men of
humblest of birth rose to everlasting glory and the noblest were lost in
oblivion.
Rituals according to Maulana Maudodi are the physical manifestations of
Islam.The ‘Din’ containing social, moral and human obligations is the ‘Soul’,
the driving force. Today our body throbsbutthe soul is dead.
Corruption is compromise. When compromise pervades, the purpose of life becomes
nebulous. Baser human instincts take control, the consciousness of the ultimate
reality becomes meaningless and man is back to animalism. Animalism is a
harbinger of destruction, the scriptures warn.
An early morning visitor to Baghdad would hear a melodious humming rising from
the city towards the skies, recitation of the holy Quran. All the recitation,
night worship and fasting could not save the Muslims from the most shameful and
devastating defeat at the hands of the Mongols.
Corruption is just not one of the killer diseases. It is a deadly cancer for the
society. It nurtures coercion, exploitation, oppression, inequality,
lawlessness, insecurity and injustice. Without justice a country is worse than
‘the Animal kingdom’.
Pakistan is galloping towards the precipice. All those who matter, the
judiciary, executive, parliament, law enforcement and the media must join hands
together to counter the menace. Animalism can only be eliminated with
extraordinary, unconventional, ruthless and extreme measures, not with the laws
of a civil society.
(Major General (retd) Askari Raza Malik is author of “Pakistan in Search of a
Messiah”)