بسم اللہ الرحمٰنِ الرحیم
Thousands
of wishes such that every wish comes out of breath.
Mirza
Ghalib captured the essence of human nature in a single stanza. It is an
undeniable truth that from birth to our last breath, we find ourselves immersed
in a whirlpool of desires. Each day, these desires trap us and bring us closer
to a state of discontentment. The reason behind this is the insatiable nature
of human desires, while the resources to fulfill them remain limited.
Consequently, human life is often filled with constant struggles. However, it
is also an undeniable fact that nothing is more precious than life itself.
Therefore, life cannot be reduced to mere pursuit of desires, akin to chasing
after coins. The solution lies in establishing a balance between our desires
and the resources available to us. Understanding this equation in human life is
what we refer to as the "science of economics."
Hunger stands as the most fundamental and pressing problem faced by humanity.
Livelihood has remained a major concern throughout history. In every era and
region, whether individuals were intelligent and brilliant or foolish and
ineffective, people have strived to solve this problem. At times, it has even
become a global issue, encompassing the entire world. Sadly, this has led to
the division of humanity into classes and levels, causing conflicts and
disputes. After a long intellectual and theoretical battle, some wise
individuals concluded that wealth is the ultimate solution to this problem.
With wealth, one can not only alleviate hunger but also find solutions to every
problem and sorrow, bringing happiness to the world. Thus, wealth becomes the
ultimate facilitator in all circumstances, and individuals should seek it by
both legitimate and illegitimate means.
When wealth became synonymous with success in human life, everyone scrambled to
acquire it. Consequently, some gained more, while others received less, leaving
some empty-handed. This division led to the creation of a society marked by
inequality, superiority, inferiority, and deprivation, resulting in severe anxiety.
In response, a new theory emerged, advocating for the equal distribution of
resources since all human beings have the same basic needs. According to this
theory, all resources should be owned by the state, and every citizen should
contribute through work. The state, in turn, would ensure the necessary
resources are provided to each citizen. While this formula appeared simple and
straightforward, it failed miserably in practical life, giving rise to numerous
problems and ultimately being discarded.
Earning a livelihood holds great importance and value in human life. The
concentration of wealth within a society is a poisonous concept. Ensuring a
fair and equitable distribution of resources is vital for fostering social
peace and harmony. Wealth undoubtedly brings convenience to life, but it does
not solve every difficulty or problem. Otherwise, no wealthy person would
experience sickness, aging, or death. No capitalist would remain childless, and
no landlord's children would ever be disobedient. True balance in life is not
found solely in wealth, but in earning wealth and living according to the
principles and teachings of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.