Aijaz Ahmad
PRESENT government is focusing to make the country corruption-free. We therefore not only have right but responsibility to speak up constructively against all we feel wrong. Why do we always tackle corruption through its consequences? Corruption is simply a symptom showing that things somewhere are going in the wrong direction. The issue is on the correct application of rules and regulations and the sanction against those who do not comply to these rules. People firstly concentrate on the respect of rules and regulations. The problem becomes even more complex when the rules themselves are seen to be the outcome of corrupt processes, and are seen to benefit a particular group.
Corruption can first and foremost be tackled proactively through prevention. It is often said that “prevention is better than cure”. This simple means that safeguards can be put in place to prevent corruption at both the macro and micro levels by introducing ethos of transparency, accountability and efficiency in administrative and financial management. On the other hand where prevention fails us simply because of the presence of cunning people, we turn to reactive measures that require detection, investigation and prosecution. This is a scientific approach in the fight against corruption and the tendency is for this approach to replace the unpopular traditional approach that lays emphasis on punishment alone.
In my last column titled as “Trust is hardest but fragile” published in a national daily wherein paying back of full amount including coins was discussed. The purpose of my writing is only that we differentiate in halal and haram by ourselves. Heart is the best companion, guide, director, controller and chaperone. Allah subhanahuwata’alaa says: So have they not traveled through the earth and have hearts by which to reason and ears by which to hear? For indeed, it is not eyes that are blinded, but blinded are the hearts which are within the breasts. [Quran, 22: 46] The Prophet salallaahu ‘alayhiwasallam said about heart: Truly in the body there is a morsel of flesh which, if it be sound, all the body is sound and which, if it be diseased, all of it is diseased. Truly it is the heart. [Al-Bukhaaree, Muslim].
Sins have an effect on your heart; they can cause your heart to be sealed so that the light of knowledge doesn’t reach it anymore and the Ayaat of Allah don’t affect you anymore. May Allaah ‘azzawajal protect us from this situation. We, the bankers, are the most trustworthy people in the society. We comply with all laws, regulations and codes of conduct that apply to us. We maintain strict client confidentiality and hold ourselves accountable. We always make sincere efforts to preserve and promote trust of the customers. But there are something considered as matter of right because of haziness. Today I have another food for thought i.e. a serpentine between conveyance allowance and official car.
Conveyance allowance is defined as a type of allowance offered to employees to compensate for their travel from residence to and from respective workplace location while official car is specifically for official business. An employee is allowed to use an official vehicle for transportation for work only. If it is true that charity begins at home then why we left your family in the lurch. Why their sustenance is mixed with haram…..!(Saying) eat of the Tayyibat (good lawful things) wherewith We have provided you, and commit no transgression or oppression therein, lest My anger should justly descend upon you. And he on whom My anger descends, he is indeed perished. [Tafsir At-Tabari] ( ÓæÑÉØå , Taha, Chapter #20, Verse #81) Tawakkul is a light for our hearts and a means for us to seek nearness towards Allah (SWT) in a manner that absolutely nothing else can achieve.
The essence of this quality of the heart is built upon two very important pillars: dependence upon Allah and trust in Allah. Know that Allah (SWT) is pleased with those servants who persevere and He (SWT) loves those that trust in Him. Build a strong foundation of trust and allow for it to accompany you in all that you do. For it is a quality that will remain sufficient for you in the matters of this world, your deen (religion) and in the Aakhira (hereafter) Insha’Allah
—The writer is Asstt Vice President, National Bank of Pakistan, Gujrat.
