In the year 2005 one of the worst disasters struck Pakistan. An earthquake measuring 7 on the richter scale destroyed many cities in the northern parts of the country and some of the neighbourhoods were turned upside down. This disaster was unprecedented, it was the first time in the entire recorded history of the region that a natural disaster of such magnitude was witnessed. People simply couldn't understand why this had happened. Some suggested that this was a punishment from God due to the corruption of the masses, others blamed the rulers (and their corruption) for angering God, and some claimed it was a test. Whatever the cause of the disaster, people did learn that an effective system was needed to cope with such a catastrophe. A system that would ensure that the delivery of aid was carried out justly to all needy who required it. However, this did not happen in the aftermath of the earthquake. The corrupt system abused by corrupt politicians turned out to be the biggest nightmare for victims of the earthquake. Most of the aid never reached its desired destination, and this happened because there was was no effective mechanism in place to account the politicians for their theft and banditry.

In early August 2010, another natural disaster struck Pakistan on an unprecedented scale. Massive floods swept through the northern parts of the country making their way towards the south, destroying every city on the way. Thousands of people lost their lives and more are expected to die. The floods are now at their peak while this comment is being authored, and the aftermath will bring disease and famine, which is an inevitable outcome of mass flooding. The media are doing their best by reporting from different locations so that the unaffected masses can see the impact of this disaster and subsequently help those in need. However, a strange reality has come to light this time: the response from the masses hasn't been as strong and warm as it was in 2005. The cause is, almost unanimously, thought to be the corruption of the government officials, hence a lack of trust in their ability to deliver aid appropriately and justly. People are reportedly sick and tired of hearing stories of money and aid not reaching its required end, so how do we deal with this problem? How can we attain certainty whether the aid, if available, will ever reach the flood victims?

Firstly we cannot have any confidence with the present system, especially if the current corrupt ruling elite are overseeing matters. Secondly, the solution for the whole mess is not appointing trustworthy officers in place, rather the solution lies in replacing the current system altogether with a tested successful code of life. If Sharia law (Islamic law), in the form of the Caliphate, was governing the affairs of Pakistan, we would not have seen what we are witnessing today. Under the Sharia Baitul Maal[1] system, only the most deserving and needy receive aid and support, and this system was considered to be the first form of welfare and disaster recovery ever witnessed in human history.[2] The option of a corrupt selfish politician making away with a large portion of the aid does not exist and cannot exist, and Islamic history is witness to this.

One of the worst famines occurred in the time of the 2^nd Caliph of Islam, Umar bin Khattab (may God be pleased with him). During this famine he was patrolling the streets in person so that everyone was fed from the Baitul Maal adequately. He came across a lady living in the outskirts of the city of Medina with her children. The children were crying and Umar asked what the matter was? The woman complained stating that she and her children were hungry and she exclaimed that she will hold Umar accountable (she was not aware that she was speaking to Umar, the Caliph at the time). Upon hearing this, the 2nd Caliph was shaken and rushed towards the Baitul Maal to fetch the required necessities. His servant insisted that he should carry the luggage, however Umar refused, saying that "you will not carry my luggage on the day of judgment". Such were the Muslim leaders and their thoughts. Umar came to the lady, cooked the food personally, and waited until the children had gone to sleep after they had a fill.[3] Where are such leaders today? Where are those who would walk the streets of Charsadda, Naushera, Sakhkhar and Jaicobabad and ask whether someone is hungry or whether someone is in need of clothes? Rather, we have the likes of Zadari visiting the West during times of need sleeping in his 5 star hotels, living in luxury.

In conclusion, the solutions to the problems of the Muslim should not be getting more and more humiliating aid from those who mock and attack Islam, rather the solution is to be found in the following statement of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him): "Upon you is my Sunnah (way) and the Sunnah of my rightly guided Caliphs". Thus, once we start taking Islam seriously and implement it individually, socially and politically (which there seems to be a growing desire for in the Muslim world) -  such disasters will be taken care of by effective trustworthy hands, and a divine system.

[1] Baitul Maal is an Arabic term that can translate as the "House of Wealth." The Baitul Maal was a financial mechanism responsible for the administration of taxes in the Islamic state. It served as a treasury for the Caliph, managing his personal finances and government expenditures. Significantly, it administered distributions of Zakah (charity and tax) revenues. As per the Qur’anic injunction, the concepts of welfare and pension were included in the Baitul Maal. The taxes (including Zakat and Jizya) collected in the Baitul Maal were used to provide income for the needy, including the poor, elderly, orphans, widows, and the disabled.

[2] According to the Islamic jurist Al-Ghazali, the government was also expected to stockpile food supplies in every region in case a disaster or famine occurred. The Caliphate can thus be considered the world's first major welfare state. See, Shadi Hamid (August 2003), "An Islamic Alternative? Equality, Redistributive Justice, and the Welfare State in the Caliphate of Umar", Renaissance: Monthly Islamic Journal.

[3] Hayatus-Sahabah, by Kandhalwi

The month of Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. This month is a very special month for Muslims, because it is a month of fasting and spiritual focus. The significance of this month has been highlighted in the Qur’an – “O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become God-conscious.” 2:183 

As the Qur’an brings to our attention, the main objective of Ramadan is to attain God-consciousness. God-consciousness is central to the life of the believer; its definition includes the constant reference, awareness, fear and mindfulness of God, in addition to ensuring that everything the believer does is in accordance with God’s pleasure. 

This consciousness is not static, it is dynamic. The level of God-consciousness is dependent upon how close the Muslim is with His Lord. This personal relationship is established and strengthened by following a unique program of activities that have been prescribed by God Himself. This ‘spiritual’ program is also an effective means to change the negative traits and habits of the Muslim. Some of these activities include remembrance of God, prayer, giving charity, meditation, reading and reflecting upon the Qur’an, memorising the Qur’an and daily supplications. All of these actions are increased and intensified during the month of Ramadan. 

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) emphasised developing a good character by engaging a constant practice of prayer, meditation, remembrance of God and other activities, as these actions change the heart and thereby bring one closer to God. 

“Indeed in the body there is a piece of flesh. If it is sound, the body is all sound. If it is corrupt, the body is all corrupt. Indeed, it is the heart.”

God-consciousness is an essential element in Islamic spiritual practice. Without it, the Muslim’s behaviour and attitude are corrupted. Unlike the secular view, Islam has a unique perspective on spirituality as it encompasses all aspects of the Muslim’s life. In Islam all actions that are referred to God are spiritual, and these actions include the supplications we utter before we go to bed to implementing justice via Islamic governance. God has prescribed certain actions that develop positive characteristics as well as bringing the Muslim closer to God thereby attaining God-consciousness. This state achieves many things including God’s love, closeness and divine assistance. The month of a Ramadan is a platform to launch the believer’s God-consciousness to the next level. 

Fasting in the month of Ramadan constitutes one of the five pillars of Islam. During this month spiritual activities intensify, as mentioned above, however some social actions are recommended such as forgiving people, establishing brotherhood, spreading peace, accounting corrupt and oppressive regimes, and feeding the community. Ramadan conveys an extraordinary sense of emotional enthusiasm and religious eagerness among Muslims of all ages, and it is the month that makes the believer feel alive, and allows him to reconcile his existence with his divinely prescribed purpose – the worship of God.