The month of Ramazan is the ninth and the holiest month of the Islamic calendar. Every year, Muslims around the world from all the five continents unite in observing fast for each day of the whole month from day break (Fajr) to sunset (Maghrib). It is the month of blessings and spiritual cleaning. It is the period of devotion, generosity and sacrifice, to seek and reflect on God’s guidance and to seek forgiveness for our sins. This month is not merely a test of physical tolerance, but is the month of intense commitment of the person’s body and soul to cleanse from the impurities and to refocus on the worship of Allah.
What we experienced in Pakistan, during this sacred month this year, bears no resemblance to this spirit or any of the teachings of Islam. Instead of strengthening the bond of brotherhood, we have witnessed atrocities committed by Muslims to spread terror among Muslims. Who are these guys that kill innocent people during this holy month? Don’t they know that the people they are attacking are fellow Muslims and fellow countrymen, women and children? Don’t they know that the bystanders who are blown apart or maimed during these bomb blasts are neither their enemies, nor have they declared any war against them? How can they have any animosity with them when they don’t even know them? Can these perpetrators be the followers of the same Islam that teaches restraint during the month of Ramazan - that calls for the mind, tongue, eyes, ears and hands to be restrained from evil thoughts, idle gossip, looking and indulging in unlawful things?
These self-appointed custodians of Islam appear to be reverting to the 18th century - to wage jihad in order to enforce a bizarre agenda of their own brand of Sharia. But they are fighting according to their own rules - that are against any rules of humanity or religion. They themselves do not come upfront. Instead, they use children as sacrifice to be blown up by explosives attached to their bodies - with the promise of fast track entry to paradise. Their targets are security installations, but their victims are people of their own kind who have families that are devastated for life. These self-acclaimed religious fundamentalists have destroyed schools and killed young female students. Don’t they know that the very first word revealed in the verses of the Holy Quran was “read”? What kind of Sharia are they trying to impose that take away the right to read?
As our government grows weaker by internal dissent, rampant corruption, across-the-board incompetence of bureaucracy and investigation agencies and the lack of will and motivation - the insurgents have grown bolder and more organised. They have made inroads deep into our social structure, in settled areas and in all institutions. Their sympathisers are now planted in key positions everywhere, where these assets are focused, motivated and quietly deliver what they are assigned. Our people, on the other hand, have developed an indifference to their social obligations and would not rise to protect themselves. Our rulers simply accept their inability to control events and continue to rule unabashedly. Under such circumstances, we can only return to Allah (swt) and pray.
Every Juma Salaat is followed by a mass prayer for the solidarity of Pakistan. Prayers are held in the Khana Kaaba and the Masjid-e-Nabvi - the ultimate locations for us Muslims, for the progress and peace in Pakistan. Every inauguration witnesses raised hands in prayers for saving Pakistan from disasters and from its enemies. Yet, our economy would collapse if not propped by artificial resuscitation. Every year, floods take away thousands of human lives, countless cattle are lost, homes destroyed and no one cares what happens subsequently to the wretched lives of those affected. Our enemies have become so bold that they can strike anywhere and anytime, at will. They have developed the capability to plan and successfully execute ‘missions impossible’ such as attack on the GHQ and daring jailbreaks in Bannu and D. I. Khan.
It is time we pause and think why it is that even Allah (swt) is not listening to us. The Holy Quran has repeatedly shown us the way - only if we care to learn from it. It is up to the nations to put themselves on the right path. They must hear the warnings. They must analyse their own deeds and reform themselves. If nations fall to the lowest levels - Allah will only seek to punish them. There will not be any prophet any more to guide us. We, the people, must seek guidance from within. We must discover our wrongs and proceed in self-correction mode. We must eradicate lies, deceit, hypocrisy, greed and must inculcate discipline, restraint, simplicity and sense of purpose in our lives. Allah does not need our prayers - those are for us. Allah needs our good deeds. That is the spirit of Ramazan. Did we learn from it?

The writer is an engineer and an entrepreneur.