THOUGH leaders’ lifespan is limited to decades, their wisdom is immortal. The world is governed by nations that heed their leaders’ guidelines. Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s founding of Pakistan solidified Muslim identity in the subcontinent, establishing the nation as a potential leader of the modern Muslim world. The father of the nation imparted numerous invaluable lessons, but the core message was the importance of unity, faith, and discipline for unparalleled national progress. Pakistan’s diversity is its strength, and embracing that diversity is key to its modern development. A unified society is essential for forging a national identity. For Quaid-e-Azam, national unity among Pakistan’s diverse groups was paramount. Without societal unity, no nation has achieved prosperity. Today, political and social divisions are weakening Pakistan’s societal foundations, hindering its growth prospects. Islamic teachings also emphasize unity among Muslims as crucial for navigating the modern world.
It’s more than apparent what will happen if we aren’t united. The absence of national unity has hampered our progress toward our goals. Political division has fractured the country, not just dividing politicians on key national goals but also creating widespread political hatred and disharmony among citizens. Power struggles, fuelled by disunity, have replaced the national focus on prosperity, intensifying resource conflicts. The Muslim world, however, faces a similar case. The current fragmentation of Muslims globally has led to them succumbing to Western influence, jeopardizing Muslim unity and harmony. Quaid-e-Azam’s core tenet of unity is the only path to survival for Pakistan and the worldwide Muslim community in the modern age. The second principle emphasized by Quaid-e-Azam was faith. It involves striving for self-improvement while relying on God for positive results. Having faith also includes the firm belief in our ability to govern the world. Young people today will find this message vital and pertinent.
This message about maintaining faith is relevant to young people in Pakistan and worldwide. The erosion of faith in their capabilities has left young people vulnerable to modern temptations, undermining their life’s potential. Our leaders must also have a strong belief in their own abilities. Today, our leaders no longer believe in their nation’s ability to change its course. The strength and courage to meet challenges and achieve a fulfilling life comes from faith. When faith is absent, nations become vulnerable to the evils within their societies. This is a critical need for our nation and the Muslim Ummah today; a lack of faith will lead to national disappointments. Amidst challenges and unfavourable conditions, faith propels nations forward. The Quaid-e-Azam stressed this, seeing faith as the path to national success. Among Quaid-e-Azam’s essential traits, discipline ranked third in importance. Discipline is necessary for a nation’s continued success. Additionally, one cannot change one’s life without adhering to a disciplined approach.
True discipline is continuing to strive even when facing difficulty and improbable success. Today’s youth lack discipline, preventing them from leaving a significant mark on history. Our leaders also lack this quality, and self-discipline is absent in every aspect of life. We’ve lost sight of how discipline breeds national success. The West’s adoption of these traits has resulted in its dominance in technology and politics worldwide. Studying the secrets of successful nations reveals their adherence to unity, faith, and discipline, which has shaped history and impacted the world. Quaid-e-Azam knew that Pakistan’s diversity demanded faith and discipline for global impact. While we educate children on Quaid-e-Azam’s emphasis on unity, faith, and discipline, our generation needs to decipher his message for future achievements. These three golden words hold a universal secret to success for individuals and nations alike in the modern age.
The question remains: who will make sure this nation grasps the core of Quaid-e-Azam’s message? National unity has eroded today, diminishing the nation’s belief in its potential for greatness and its discipline. The Muslim Ummah faces the same reality. The West’s strategy of keeping Muslims divided has been successful, eroding their self-belief and creating weaker, less disciplined individuals in the Muslim world. Following our leader’s instructions is our duty; this will help fulfill Quaid-e-Azam’s dream of a powerful Pakistan and a dominant Muslim Ummah. A nation’s youth are taught their leader’s message to ensure its preservation. Once young people grasp their leader’s message, they are transformed into a powerful, world-altering force.
National unity in Pakistan could result from changes to its education sector. A fractured education system fosters a divided mentality. Furthermore, our leaders should prioritize unity over political strife, adhering to Quaid’s vision. To bolster their self-belief, our young people need educational reform. We should demonstrate in classrooms how Quaid-i-Azam’s faith empowered him to achieve a separate homeland for us. This will teach our generation to have faith in their abilities. How many schools in Pakistan have implemented this strategy, or how many organizations in Pakistan are focusing on this important concept?
Finally, discipline is essential. Youngsters can only truly grasp this message through practical demonstration. Daily examples of discipline from leaders and intellectuals will inspire young people. Now’s the moment to embrace unity, faith, and discipline; this requires investment and willpower. We need to recognize Quaid-e-Azam’s insightful guidance for thriving as a free nation. Truly, Pakistan possesses a defined plan, rooted in Quaid’s vision, for its evolution—a plan prioritizing unity, faith, and discipline. Failure to recognize this now dooms future generations to face enemies’ schemes and modern world struggles without even putting up a fight. Pakistan wasn’t created for this. (waqarhassancsp@gmail.com)
