In order to
inculate good qualities in a individual, help is usually sought from the
law. It is possible that some change in the inclinations and behaviour
of the people might be brought about if the law enforcing agencies are
steadfast in their work and do their job sincerely. However, everyone knows
that no complete and permanent change can take place by the sole implementation
of the law. In the recent history of our country, many instances can be
pointed out in which the law was used to alter the conduct of the people
but it became evident in a short time that the only result was the addition
of a few clauses in the books of law.
In our opinion,
the most affective way to bring a moral change in a people is to persuade
and influence them in favour of a particular ideology. Although this procedure
can tax one's patience because the process is very slow, the fact is that
the change produced is a lasting one This is the reason why Islam starts
by persuasion and counseling and then implements the law. This most successful
strategy which can be adopted in this regard is that the ruling class of
our country should become exemplary figures as far as their moral character
and conduct are concerned. In other words, leading by example has the most
potent influence on the lives of the people. Societies which have adopted
this procedure have shown remarkable progress, while those which ignored
this strategy have achieved very little success. It is precisely this reason
that Islam has stressed on the rulers of an Islamic State of become an
epitome of all the qualities and attitudes it wants to develop in the people.
At the social level, simplicity, fertility, and contentment are very essential.
It is obvious that if a high standard of living and luxury become rampant
in society, values are ruined and money becomes the only merit left. Everyone
becomes so involved in making money that faith and morality become insignificant.
Therefore, when the Islamic State was founded in Medina the Prophet (sws)
declared that the standard of living of those charged with authority be
close to that of a common man so that such noble as simplicity and contentment
become popular in this society. The Rightly Guided Caliphs continued to
follow this Prophetic Sunnah and the society became as exemplary as its
ruler if not more.
When Hazrat
Umar (rta) was elected the Caliph, Hazrat Ali (rta) gave him the following
advice: `If you wish to be worthy of your predecessor's position, wear
a shirt with patches, keep your dhoti above your ankles (as the poor do),
mend your shoes yourself, sew patches on your socks, have few desires and
eat less than your appetite.’
It was the
same Umar bin Khattab in whose rule the vast empires of Rome and Persia
were conquered and the Islamic state expanded to far-off territories. However,
inspite of this unprecedented expansion, when he set out from Medina to
sign a treaty with the inhabitants of one of his conquered area (Palestine),
all the had with him was a bag of barley grains, a wooden cup, a servant
and a camel for travelling. When the Palestinians came to greet him, he
had to ask one of the priests to rent him an extra suit so that he could
wash the only one he had.
In following
this Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Umar bin Abdul Aziz (rta), who had been
brought up surrounded by silks and brocade, began wearing a woven mat when
he became the head of State and gave all his wife's jewelry to the public
exchequer.
In one of
Abu Daud's Ahadeeth the Prophet (sws) gave the representatives of the government
the following advice: `If a person who is our (government's servant is
unmarried, he can marry; if he does not have a helper, he can keep one;
if he does not have a house, he can have one [from the state treasury].
A person who crosses these limits is a thief and a cheat.' (Abu Daud: Kitab-ul-Kharaaj)
This is the
standard of living which Muslim rulers must adopt if they are seriously
interested in reforming their society. Without this attitude, sentimental
speeches and lofty claims can be made before the public but no sound change
can be brought about in society.
(Translated by Sadia Saleem)
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