Almighty Allah sent Messengers with glad tidings and warnings to mankind as a single nation. And with them He sent the book in truth, to judge between people in matters wherein they differed. Allah by His grace guided the believers to the truth, concerning that wherein they differed. Generally speaking, corruption exists when a person in power has the right to make decisions that concern others whose interests are at stake. The interested parties will try to find ways and means of getting what they want. One of the common ways is to offer the person in power certain favours so that the decision is made in his/her favour. This could happen only if the decision maker is willing to accept the favours offered to him. On the other hand, if the person in power is not willing to accept such favours, then the process stops there. Unfortunately, it is not as simple. The interested party is not going to stop there either. If he thinks that the stake is too big to loose, he may be willing to give more until it becomes too much to refuse. Once we become obliged, we tend to find it difficult to refuse the next time around. It is also true that the disease can start from the person in power. By making things difficult the interested party will start to entertain the idea that there is another way of doing things. He will try to search for the best way of getting what he wants. It can also be started by those with vested interest. These individuals who have something they really want from those in authority will try their best to reach those in power and suggest some form of kickbacks. Of course, it will not be so easy at first, but eventually, with a lot of persuasion and perseverance, they get their way. Of course, at the early stages, most of the corrupt practices are carried out very discretely so that the integrity of the person is never questioned. One can appear to be super clean in public, but in actual fact, those involved are the only people who know what goes on behind those innocent faces. The problem becomes gigantic when corruption is practised openly. Those in power starts demanding what they want and those who give are very open about it too. Both parties have regarded it as a norm because everybody else is doing it anyway. Those who do not do it are considered as either stupid or a thorn in the group. These are the people who will have to make the choice to join them or leave the group. Corruption too has different definitions. What is considered corruption for some may not be so for others. It depends entirely on the norm that is accepted by certain societies. For instance, some of the advanced countries have allowed huge bribes paid out by multinationals to high ranking officials in other countries as tax deductible. You call it by any name which is regarded as an expense and that amount is surely tax deductible. The implication cuts both ways. The countries where these multinationals reside will loose in the form of corporate tax. The countries whose high ranking officials accept the huge bribes will end up paying much more than the real price of the service or product. In the end, the people who gain are the high ranking officials, while both the countries involved, loose out. What is even worse is when decisions tend to be made based on the amount of bribe or commission they could get. There is also bribery in implementing judgment and in appointing people, it is a betrayal of the Trust because the better and the more efficient person should be appointed to the job. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {The best one you can hire is the strong and the trustworthy.} [Quran 28:26] Moreover, there is bribery in the field of education, construction and many other fields that are too numerous to mention here. Bribery is a crime that has grave effects and serious consequences on the individual and the society. Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: I said to the Prophet (PBUH): O Messenger of Allah, will you not appoint me to a public office? He stroked my shoulder with his hand and said: “Abu Dharr, you are weak and authority is a trust. And on the Day of Judgment it is a cause of humiliation and regret except for one who fulfills its obligations and (properly) discharges the duties.” (Muslim). Ubaydullah ibn Abi Bakr said: I heard Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) saying: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) talked about the major sins, or he was asked about the major sins. Upon this he mentioned: “Associating anyone with Allah, killing of a person, being undutiful to parents.” He (the Prophet further) said: “Should I not inform you about the gravest of the major sins?” And then he said: “It is false utterance” or he said “false testimony”. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) Corruption is also said to be highly related to materialistic tendencies, which can be due to real needs caused by income or greed and desire to live well beyond one’s means. When this happens, it can easily lead to gross inefficiencies both financially and productivity wise. Those involved will find ways and means of applying pressure on others whom they can prey upon, instead of providing genuine service to such victims. It is quite common for those intending to receive bribes to delay approval or payment process so that they can expedite the service in return for some bribes. Following hadith is a best example for todays Mulas to follow. A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated: The people of Quraish worried about the lady from Bani Makhzum who had committed theft. They asked, “Who will intercede for her with Allah’s Messenger?” Some said, “No one dares to do so except Usamah ibn Zaid the beloved one to Allah’s Messenger.” When Usamah spoke about that to him, Allah’s Messenger said, “Do you try to intercede for somebody in a case connected with Allah’s Prescribed Punishments?” Then he got up and delivered a sermon saying, “What destroyed the nations preceding you, was that if a noble amongst them stole, they would forgive him, and if a poor person amongst them stole, they would inflict Allah’s legal punishment on him. By Allah, if Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad stole, I would cut off her hand.” (Al-Bukhari).
The real and true scholars of Islam are a big blessing from Allah to this Ummah. There is no doubt that these true scholars (Ulama-e-Haq) are the inheritors of Real Knowledge, which Allah gave to Prophets, and through Prophets (peace be upon them) these scholars learned it and they spread it. Its pity and sad that just because of some minor differences Muslims are so deeply divided that most often they forget the actual problems of Muslim Ummah (nation). This is what Satan and enemies of Muslims want from Muslims. The most unfortunate aspect of this division is that the people who claim that they have the knowledge of Islam such as Moulvees (Imams of Mosques) and Muslim scholars are responsible for this division. They are the one who dwell on these differences in every Jum’a speech (Khutba), in other speeches and in their writings. These religious scholars have turned away many Muslims from Mosques and confused them about Islamic beliefs. These religious scholars have influenced their followers so deep that these people do not hesitate to fight even in side Mosques. We suppose to bring the message of Islam to non-Muslims which is based upon peace, love and respect by our good character and justice. Among the previous nations, the people of knowledge divided the religion and now among the Muslims the people of knowledge are doing the same thing. All these people who divided the religion will ultimately pay a huge penalty hereafter. Please remember that all the people of knowledge in religion do not create division among Muslims. Very few people are responsible for this division. They are the one who are addressed here. Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Help your brother whether he is the doer of wrong or wrong is done to him.” The Companions asked, “O Messenger of Allah! We can help a man to whom wrong is done, but how could we help him when he is the doer of wrong?” The Prophet replied, “Hold him back from doing wrong.” (Al-Bukhari) Most of the Islamic Scholars, are God fearing people and they teach and propagate the correct knowledge of Islam. It is because of them that we get the correct understanding of Islam and we should be very thankful to them. May Allah give them the best reward. The true Islamic scholars are the scholars of truth (Ulama-e-Haq) while, the scholars who has created this division are false scholars (Ulama-e-Soo). Muslim countries are facing several problems. The causes of these problems could be economical, educational, political, social, ethical, scientific, technological etc. It is reported that false scholars of Islam (Ulama-e-Soo) are hardly concerned about problems. We must not follow the false scholars who create division among Muslims based upon their designed beliefs. The Holy Prophet of Islam used to appoint a number of his companions as the collectors of zakat, during the Medina period. They were to make proper assessments on the items where zakat become payable, collect the proper amounts and distribute to the recipients in the same locality. One of these collectors of zakat came back and told the Holy Prophet, “This amount is what I have collected less what I have distributed to the rightful recipients, but this is mine”. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was very upset and rebuked him saying, “What right have you to put aside something that does not belong to you. If you were to remain in your father’s house, would you get what you are taking?” The Holy Prophet (PBUH) had also been reported to have said, “If you get from the people because of your position is bribery. Would you get it if you are not holding that position, or if you stay in your father’s house?” These hadith provide us with the strict definition of bribery and corruption in Islam. Gifts that we get, could be considered as bribery if it is meant to oblige us to abuse our position or power. However, if it is customary for those in power to receive gifts because of the respect, love and services that they have rendered to the people, then of course it cannot be regarded as bribery. We know that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) himself used to accept gifts of various forms from heads of states in his time. He also used to give similar gifts to others. This is surely not bribery because it is customary to do it. Moreover, it is often given out of love and respect for the person. All benefits derived from sinful activities are definitely unlawful. To this applies the famous hadith that states that the flesh that grows out of unlawful income has no place in the hereafter but hell. The problem that we have to sincerely question is whether the bribe that we have paid for will bring about future streams of income to us or not. If the stream of income that we receive is clearly the result of the bribe that we have paid for, then naturally, the stream of income that we derive is unlawful in the eyes of Islam. For instance if we bribe to get to a certain position, the stream of income that we enjoy from such a position is also questionable Islamically. This is the real danger of all our sinful actions. Whether we pay zakat or donate our wealth for a very noble cause from such wealth, there is no benefit to us. This is because, neither zakat nor good charitable deeds are counted from unlawful income. After all, we are all accountable to Allah in every action that we do on this earth. A famous hadith has it that Allah will call us to account how we spend our life, our youth, our wealth and our knowledge. Abdul Rahman ibn Auf, the richest companions among the famous ten whom the Holy Prophet (PBUH) had predicted will enter paradise will have to account for all his wealth, the way he got and spent them, before being allowed to approach the gate of heaven. The other nine would have little wealth to account for and hence will speedily reach heaven. God knows best. Lets follow Qur’an and the Prophet (peace be upon him) not the false people. This year hundreds of millions of Muslims worldwide began the first daily fast of Ramadan on Thursday. History is witness generally people respect this month and avoid conflict and consider this time of reconciliation. U.N. Secretary-General appealed fighters of various countries on to put down their weapons during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, even we notice many times India used to suspend operations against militants fighting its rule in Kashmir during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan. We know, Ramadan is a month of discipline, self-control, patience, and inculcating good behavior. In Ramadan, Muslims are expected to gain the fruits of Fasting; namely piety and being conscious of Allah (SWT). In this context, holy month of Ramadan serves as a religious catalyst for individuals to refine their behaviors and improve their relationships with both Allah (SWT) and those with whom they interact most closely, including and especially, family. We learn in this month how to discipline ourselves for the sake of Allah (SWT). Ramadan is not only an individual experience, but it is a community experience as well as whole Muslim Ummah fasts together in one and the same month. We identify with one another in our obedience to Allah (SWT). To summarize all the moral and spiritual gifts of Ramadan, we can say that Ramadan gives us the great gift of taqwa (piety), overall result of an Islamic life. Thus, every Muslim should strive hard not to miss the opportunity of obtaining multiple rewards in these blessed days. It is noticed that there is clear impact of fasting on behavior of an individual. Muslims avoid bribery and all haram activities during the month of Ramadan so it is expected they continue good activities daily till alive.Ramadan is the month of Qura’n. In this month Allah Almighty has revealed the Qura’n for mankind with a complete guidance for self-development. May Allah keep us all under his protection and show us the right path. Aameen!
( The authors write regularly on Islamic topics exclusively for the opinion pages of “Kashmir Horizon”. The views, opinions, facts, assumptions, presumptions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”.)
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