The people of Pakistan have been facing many difficulties from the beginning. With the establishment of Pakistan, resettlement of the refugees, assets distribution, and issues regarding Kashmir along with other occupied states arose. Then, problems such as unstable democracy, no constitution, the dominance of bureaucracy, military dictatorship, the ongoing conflict with India, and East Pakistan’s secession also surrounded it. After the separation of Bangladesh, the journey of democracy started in Pakistan. But the atmosphere of intolerance soon wrapped up democracy. Afterward, the tragedy of the Afghan war started, making the country a center of arms and heroin. Corruption flourished in the fragile democracy of the ’90s and the economy sank. After which military rule once again took the country by storm.
After 9/11, internal and external difficulties for Pakistan gradually increased worldwide. Political and economic crisis, civil war in northern areas, suicide attacks, poor law and order, lawlessness, murder, large numbers of robbers and kidnappers, inflation, corruption, the selfishness of corrupt politicians’ worst looting, religious extremism, and terrorism are the problems that are mentioned daily in the newspapers and on TV. These problems have the worst effect on people’s nerves. On a societal level, there are issues of girls’ marriages, family quarrels, rampant diseases, the constant struggle to increase the quality of life, etc. All these issues together have caused us a great deal of mental anguish. There is an atmosphere of despair and hopelessness everywhere.
One way of looking at all these issues is that these are our difficulties which never end. But another way of seeing them as challenges. Problems discourage man, but challenges invite man’s forces to take action. The inevitable consequence of looking at issues as challenges is that man never gets discouraged. Man discovers his unseen powers in times of challenge. Instead of getting tired, he finds his hidden abilities. After that, man can see the possibilities hidden in the issues and the potential for development concealed in the challenge.
O traveler, become the lamp of the night itself.
Our real misfortune is not our problems but the absence of that leadership, which can show the problems as a challenge. Unfortunately, our country’s leadership has always considered improving the political situation to solve the problems. This attitude leads us to believe that if America does not remain a superpower or the Musharaf/Zardari/Nawaz government is overthrown, then all our problems will be solved. It is a very superficial analysis of the situation. Our problems are much deeper than that. Even if there are political changes, our affairs have no immediate improvement. The message of the six decades from the 1950s to the present day is that people expect improvement with the change of government. The government changes, but the expected improvement does not come.
The real solution to our problems is that conscious people of our nation should decide to change the dark night of despair for themselves. They should know that the key to the problem is hidden in themselves. They have to change themselves. Until they do not change at personal level and produce results at their offices, homes, and their families, problems will not get solved. The problem is only and only present at their level. If they get changed, all things will be changed. They should not wait for the sun to rise on their dark nights. They should become their own lamp. These lamps will get bright with their strong willpower, hope, and enthusiasm rather than listening to the frustrated speeches of incompetent intellectuals and the emotional statements of the leaders. I would say that the ignorant people wait for a revolution to change their situation while wise people make changes on their own selves to improve the environment. If most people improve themselves, then the condition of the whole nation will improve.
How can this be done?
Many people may think that this is a speech. But the fact is that my words are a lesson taken from human history and religious teachings. Even more so, modern science is now beginning to present evidence in favor of this.
Religion gives us an idea of self-improvement. It also makes man sensitive to his responsibilities towards himself and his environment. Allah Almighty stated this in Chapter Asr of the Holy Quran. Suppose the course of action described in the Quran is accepted, there will definitely be a revolutionary change in the society as humanity saw in the companions’ (of Holy Prophet) era how an honest government was established.
History also shows that as long as the ordinary people were virtuous, even the total depravity of the governments could not cause countless anarchy in society. This happened at a time when monarchy and dictatorship had made it almost impossible to collectively manifest the masses’ aspirations. While in today’s democratic era, people can change their rulers. In this case, the situation is much better than in the past. I have talked about this many times from the religious and historical viewpoint. Hence, today, I will speak as per modern scientific research about the power of an individual, especially mindful and willing individuals.
Wonders of Quantum World
In the modern scientific era, one of the most crucial periods was related to Newton’s scientific research regarding the mysteries of the universe. Newtonian classical laws were considered sufficient to understand the universe at that time. In that era of Newton, this world was supposed to be limited to the visible physical world and the related scientific laws, such as the laws of motion, were considered sufficient to explain reality. However, since then, modern science has discovered a new world called the quantum world, which is invisible to the naked eye. Everyone has heard about the atom. It is the basic unit of matter. If we break things down, in the end, the thing that is left and is way smaller even than a unique particle, is an atom. Each atom consists of a center (nucleus), electrons revolving around the center, and some other particles. Just as the planets revolve around the sun, so do the electrons around the center. This invisible world from the eye is the quantum world that creates every matter.
The material world, like man, mountains, oceans, etc., may look different. Still, everything in them is made up of the same quantum world. In this sense, the quantum world, which is the basis of the sea, sand, or other creatures, works similarly in the creation of human beings. It means that Allah Almighty has used the similar electrons to design everything; for example, the door and table are both made of wood but look different.
Similarly, another great discovery of the modern era is that all the electrons are interrelated to some extent. This concept is called entanglement. This means that the electrons inside us are connected to the outer world electrons. One of the groups of Modern physics experts experimenting on the human brain is convinced that because of electronic entanglement, the way a person thinks, the outside world must accept its effect. If a man has a powerful will and the ability to focus, then the external world starts to change just as a man thinks. If a person has a weak will, he will become a human, just like the outside world.
Religious backing
This scientific discovery of the modern age is no stranger to our religious concepts or human observations. Many people in history used to focus their attention on iron objects and make them bent. We find such incidents in the Quran as well. There is an incident of two angels, Harut and Marut. Their knowledge was so powerful that such differences in the spouses’ attitudes could be created which eventually would lead to divorce (Al –Quran 2:102). The second incident is that of the minister of Prophet Sulaiman. According to the Qur’an, a Jinn in his court claimed that he can bring the throne of the Queen of Sheba before court’s dismissal. But the minister knew one of Allah’s special knowledge. He transported the throne in the twinkling of an eye by using that knowledge (Al-Quran 27:40).
The power of man
The expression of human thinking and mental power tells us that we can change our outside environment according to our perception. Allah Almighty has given this ability to man to change the circumstances according to his will. The only requirement is that he should be fully committed and tries to be the master of his own destiny instead of being influenced by the pressures of the situations or being contended by fate.
Our real tragedy at the moment is that by keeping our nation under the impression of hopelessness, it is being deprived of its true power given by Allah Almighty. In this situation, at least, I expect my readers to recognize their strength and, at least, try to change everything at their level and in the surrounding environment. Afterward, they will see that the world has begun to change surprisingly.
God’s world is a world of infinite possibilities. Disappointment in this world means denial of God’s existence. Indeed, it is disbelief, and God does not show the true path to disbelievers. Except for those who put their trust in God, they will not despair nor be subject to life pressures. They create their own world with their own courage and determination. Circumstances bring them to a dead end. But they can overcome the barriers which are even higher than the sky. Life brings them news of darkness, and with the light of their faith, they overcome it. People open the doors of misery to them. But with their perseverance and determination, they turn every difficulty into ease.
Such people have always been successful and prosperous in God’s world. Disappointed and hopeless people end up in misery, devastation, and enslavement. Now the decision is in your hands. What do you want for yourself? God will not change His rules for you. You have to change, which is the key to every closed door.