Common people and their problems

City olds sipping at costly tea look impatient to share their observation and experience with seemingly frustrated youths in context with struggle for Pakistan, historical background, social and economic justice and human values. They emphasise the need to look into examples set by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions with a view to improving the common people’s lot.
The gossip of the olds and the youths, many claiming deprived of jobs on merit, suggest that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is role model for us all — as an orphan, a sincere friend, an honest and successful businessman, a far-sighted reformer, a brave warrior, a skilful general, an efficient administrator, an impartial judge and a great statesman. When masses were groaning under pangs of oppression and injustice, he rose to prominence on this earth as a saviour of the suppressed humanity. Didn’t he liberate the poor from exploitation and slavery, proving justice and equality were his motto?
Ruler of a sovereign state, he met the lowest of his subjects on terms of equality, tended his cattle and tied up the goats and even cobbled his sandals. He carried bricks on his head when a mosque was built at Madina. That’s how he enhanced the dignity of labour.
He established the first welfare state wherein man and woman were treated as equals, capitalism was discouraged by fair distribution of wealth in the society and feudalism died down. The people were encouraged to focus on trade and agriculture to build a national economy.
Really democratic and poor-friendly were the prophet’s successors. City olds recall the speech of Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) soon after his election as head of state. He said: “I need your advice and co-operation; support me if I do well, counsel me if I mistake; to tell truth to a person commissioned to rule is faithful allegiance; to conceal it is treason; in my sight the powerful and the weak are alike and to both I wish to render justice.”
Under Hazrat Umar (RA), improvement of agriculture and farmers’ lot, patronage of female education etc. testify to his ability and efficiency as progressive administrator. He would roam in the street at night to see for himself the condition of the people and, on many occasions, he helped the poor with money and food. Similarly, Hazrat Usman (RA), devoted to serving the cause of the state and its people, donated all his wealth to the nation. He didn’t take any allowance from the state for his personal needs. Hazrat Ali (RA), a courageous and brave soldier, lived like other caliphs in a cottage, not a palatial house, wore rough coarse clothes and took pride in doing house-hold work. He would listen to complaints of the Muslims and non-Muslims after prayers. He earned his living by doing every work and labour: Once he dug a well and said to his wife: “The water of this well is not for our own family, but also for all community members.”
City elders say people’s problems like food, clothing and shelter and water and power can be solved by following in the footsteps of the prophet and his successors.
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