Maulana Wahiduddin Khan's blog

Corruption is a psychological evil, while lack of skill is a technical shortcoming. A psychological evil cannot be removed by technical improvement. If we are genuinely interested in making a better society, we shall have to work for the psychological, or moral reform of the individuals who comprise the nation. Merely bringing about an increase in the number of technical courses available will not make them turn over a new leaf.

The aura of greatness that surrounds humans in this world has no real substance. It is just a facade put on for the test of men. It is those who see through this facade, and realize that no one besides God has any real greatness, who will be successful in the next world, where only His greatness will remain. As for those who let the greatness of mere mortals rule their lives, their greatness will perish and they will be left out in the cold: the ones in whose shadow they had lived will be there no more to tower over them.

The only way for people to follow consistent and universal norms of behaviour is for them to bow to the law of God rather than the law of man. Obedience to One God makes one treat all mankind as one: everyone becomes equally deserving of good and fair treatment. God’s law is universally applicable, whereas the law of man applies in some places but not in others.

People tend to overlook the fact that professional skill and ability achieved by hard struggle is an investment in itself. Even if they fail to find an immediate outlet, life’s labours are never lost in the long run. Sooner or later opportunities are bound to present themselves to draw on such painfully acquired skills.