Question
What is the reason of slow progress of Islamic countries in the world? Who is responsible?
Answer
Analyzing the reasons of the rise and fall of a particular community is primarily the subject of social scientists. Such a state may have a number of reasons to it. Lack of education, lack of developed physical, financial and/or natural resources, lack of dynamic leadership etc. could be only a few of the reasons for this state.
However, purely from a moral perspective, it should be remembered that there are positive indications in the Qur’an to the effect that one of the vital prerequisite factors in the rise of a nation is the practical adherence of the nation with the universal moral and ethical values in its collective life. To be taken on the path of success, a nation – in its collective capacity – must practically adhere to the universally accepted moral and ethical values, it is taken on the path of success. While, on the contrary, if it generally ignores and turns its back on these universally accepted moral and ethical values, it is then taken on the path of destitution and distress.
It should be remembered that collective morality and ethics of a nation actually relates to its truthfulness, honesty, high standards in work ethics, spirit of sacrifice, honor, loyalty, respect and honor for mutual and international agreements etc.
In the light of the above principle we can ourselves analyze our own state as well as that of other Muslim and non-Muslim countries.
As far as the responsibility of the lack of adherence to moral and ethical values is concerned, every individual, in his own respective capacity, is responsible for it.
31st January 2000