WELFARE STATE AND AN ISLAMIC WELFARE STATE

 

A state that cares for the basic needs of its citizens and enables them to live a peaceful life is called a welfare state. According to Encyclopedia - Britannica, a welfare state is a concept of government in which the state plays a key role in the protection and promotion of the economic and social well-being of its citizens. It is based on the principles of equality of opportunity, equitable distribution of wealth, and public responsibility for those unable to avail themselves of the minimal provisions for a good life.



The concept of Welfare state is not new. Islam presented the concept of welfare state some fourteen hundred years ago which was fully practiced during the period of Righteous Caliphs (Khilafat-e-Rashida 632-661 A.D). The concept of Islamic Welfare state includes:

• Sovereignty in Islam, belongs to Almighty Allah. The state protects the life, property and honour of its individuals. Justice is for all without any discrimination. All are equal before law. The superiority among the individuals is based on Taqwa (fear of Allah).
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   It is necessary for the one who has the affairs of the Islamic Welfare State in his hands to adhere to the basic tenets of Islam. He should be a God-fearing Muslim and act as a trustee only.

• The head of an Islamic Welfare state is the SERVANT OF THE PEOPLE. He always think s about the welfare of its people. He lives a simple life like an ordinary man. 

• The Islamic Welfare state is always accountable to its people. The ruler is not beyond question or criticism. Such a state develops a prosperous society, free of exploitation. It provides equal opportunities of progress to all the individuals. It provides all basic facilities to the individuals including the non-Muslims.

In a nutshell, the concept of an Islamic Welfare state is that it maintains "Musaawaat" i.e., Equality, at all levels.

Consider now the present form of governments not only in Pakistan but elsewhere too. We see rebellions in some Arab countries today. We have started seeing demonstrations against Western governemtns by their own people as well. What could be the cause of that? The only reason I can think of, the governments today have stopped providing for their people and have started thinking about the well being of a very few elite.

The powers that be handpick a puppet that presents "democratic" face to the world, but in fact, is working for the benefit of just a few, instead of working FOR THE PEOPLE.

The voting process has in itself become a farce everywhere. At some places, gun rules the vote, at others, some other form of bogus votes, or fraud. People get manipulated at election time. And its not just the illiterate or people with less education, like in Pakistani villages, but also in the urban areas where literacy rate is much higher than the rural.

If we want to move towards peace and prosperity, as mankind, a single people, we need to look to ways that make our countries a Welfare state, and not just any Welfare state, but right on the footsteps of an Islamic Welfare state, especially in the countries that take pride (or not) in being a Muslim state. If we do this, then perhaps, PERHAPS, we see the world peaceful once again, and prosper, as many of us sitting at homes dream of.


Some excertps were taken from the course book of 9th class Pakistan Studies.  Rest was written by Faisal Malik.

A gift from God!.....................By Faisal Malik

Its 23rd March, 2011. The day I was thinking about writing something about the ever worsening situation, both politically, as well as economically, of this pak land, Allah has bestowed upon us. Instead, I found myself watching the entire length of the quarter-final game, Pakistan cricket team played in Bangladesh, against the West Indies.



It’s been a long time, longer than I can remember, when I actually watched a 50 over game in its entirety. There were some obvious reasons behind the fact and some not so obvious, of why I turned my back to the game I loved playing at a younger age. Having said that, it was a certain feeling of inner happiness that made me sit in front of my desktop and watch the game. THIS time, the reason was obvious, and if anyone still doesn’t know, Pakistan won the game with ease, and as a certain well-known cricket website mentioned, “stormed” into the semis. Allah is great, and He holds the power to take us on top of anything if He wants to. All thanks to Him, and all praise be to Him.



I won’t go into the details of the game, instead I’d suggest some things for the Pakistani captain as well as the management to think about before they step into the semi-final. As opposed to the friendly conditions (the crowd) in our previous games (played in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh), the semi-final takes us to Mohali, India, where we are either going to play against defending champions Australia, or the host nation, India. Either way, it’s not going to be a walk in the park. And the team should prepare itself for the onslaught not only ON the field, but also OFF the field.



Wahab Riaz has got his entire life ahead of him to play in the Pakistani team. He should be make it only to the bench in the upcoming game. Shoaib is playing his last few games. He is a natural choice not only for a better farewell chance, but also for the experience he carries with him. Please, whatever issues the management has with Shaoib, let him play. I guarantee, he won’t let you guys down.



The opening spinner option has worked, so far. Afridi should start with his wicket taking spinner, as that is what the opening bowlers do. And that opening spinner is, Afridi himself. He is the leading wicket taker in the tournament so far. He has the ability to take that new ball and use it to his full advantage. Don’t use the lesser options, go for the kill, trust in your abilities, and demolish the top order alongwith Umar Gull. God knows the speedstar can do with a better partner at the other end,(no pun intended at either Hafeez or Abdul Rehman).



Use Shoaib sparingly. Don’t blow up the guy in one go. Only three overs at a time. Think how Australia used Glenn McGrath.

These are just a few things they should do. Apart from these, don’t listen to anything the media says about you guys, (it will be negative for the most part………..considering the comments I have heard from Ian Chappel or Pat Symcox, these guys just can’t digest Pakistan routing the opposition, not to forget Mr. Lorgat who’d be tearing his hair out with frustration.)

Buck up now, don’t let us down. Go for the kill. God knows you guys need it, Pakistan needs it, and we, the nation need it.



God bless, and good luck.