Think of Reforming Yourself (2/2)

Elements Causing Deterioration

The elements which introduce deterioration in human life can be grouped into four categories:

1. Lack of God-Consciousness

When the fear of God is banished from human affairs, it results in the ‘prevalence of injustice, tyranny, corruption and all forms of moral degradation in the world.

2. Indifference to the Divine Guidance

An indifferent attitude towards the Guidance vouchsafed by God has done away with all permanent canons of moral conduct which may be observed in human affairs. For this reason, the entire behaviour at the individual, group or national level is controlled by self-interest, self-gratification and love of pleasure. As a result people have become unscrupulous and are bent upon achieving their selfish goals by fair means or foul. They do not hesitate to achieve their ends by the vilest and all the possible nefarious means.

3. Selfishness

Selfishness not only impels people to violate the right of others, but also manifests itself in the form of racialism nationalism and class distinctions on a large scale which result in conflicts of various types.

4. Inactiveness or Licentiousness

Because of inactiveness or licentiousness man either does not make use of God-given capabilities or puts them to wrong use; either he does not harness God-given resources or employs them for unlawful purposes. In the first case the Divine Law does not permit inactive and incompetent people to hold the reigns of authority in His land for long. God replaces such inadequate people with those who possess constructive talents. In the second case, when the destructive deeds of a wicked people outnumber their constructive actions, God throws them out of power; and often these people are annihilated by the explosions caused by their own destructive deeds.

Elements of Reform

In contrast to the above, the elements which create beauty and order in human society can also be divided under four heads:

1. Fear of God

Fear of God is the only reliable guarantee of preventing one from committing evil deeds and setting him on the path of righteousness. Fear of God is the only seed which blossoms into truth, justice, trustworthiness, righteousness, restraint and all other virtues which serve as the bed-rock of a peaceful and progressive human culture and civilization.

Although these virtues can be acquired through these sources does not exceed beyond a certain limit and the foundations of these virtues are never secure but are liable to be rocked. The fear of God is the only sure means of deterring man from evil ways and directing his steps firmly on the path of virtue and salutary effects of the fear of God on human affairs are not only seen on a limited scale but can be witnessed in all spheres of human life on a vast scale.

2. Obedience to the Divine Guidance

Obedience to the Commands of God is the only means of bringing individuals, social, national and international behaviour under the control of a permanent system of moral principles. As long as man is free to choose moral principles.

As long as man is free to choose morals that suit his purposes, he cannot practice what he preaches. In books he writes one set of glorious rules in letters of gold, but is guided in practice by a separate set of rules which promote his self-interest. He bases his own claims upon some fixed moral rules, but in considering the claims of others he alters the same rules from moment to moment as opportunity, expediency, passion or need demands.

It is ‘self-interest’, not ‘right’ around which the moral life of man revolves. He does not believe that he should adapt his practices to the rules of justice and fair play; instead it it his desire that all moral rules should bend to serve his own interest.

This then is the root cause of the wrong behaviour of nations and the breaking out of deterioration in the world. In contrast to this man can only achieve the ideals of peace, prosperity, well-being and glory by adopting a moral code the pivotal point of which is not self-interest but fairness and justice.

This moral code should be the supreme arbitrator in all human affairs, individual or national, commercial or political or in matters of war and peace. It is evident that the source of such a moral code are the Commandments of God and man can abide by them only if he surrenders his own right to alter or introduce amendments in the Divine Law and succumbs to the Will of God in all matters.

3. The Organization of Human Society

There should be a system built up on the principles of equal status and equal rights of all human beings instead of on the principle of safeguarding the vested interests of individuals, nations, races or classes. No unreasonable distinctions, no stratification of high or low, no casteism and no artificial prejudices should be allowed to exist in human society. No one should enjoy preferential rights and no artificial handicaps or barriers should mar the opportunity to develop his full potential. This society should be so broad-based so as to encompass the entire human race on a footing of equality.

4. Righteous Actions

Righteous action means to make full and proper use of the God-given potentialities and resources.

Gentlemen! These four elements constitute what is called “the making” and “reformation”. It would be a boon to us if we form among us an organization of righteous persons who would constantly endeavour to eradicate the causes of destruction and devise means of construction.

If their endeavours succeed in drawing the people of this country to the path of righteousness, God Almighty is not so unjust as to dispossess this nation of the right to rule her own country and thrust foreign rulers on her. But, God forbid, if the struggle of the righteous people comes to naught, we cannot predict what fate is in store for us, for you, or for the citizens of this land.