Inner Reform Must Precede Reform of Society: Chairman Supreme Council
Halal Earnings Are Essential Not Only for Sustenance but Also for Purification of the Heart: Address
Chairman Supreme Council Minhaj-ul-Quran International Prof. Dr. Hassan Mohiuddin Qadri, addressing a large Friday congregation at Jamy Shaykh-ul-Islam, Model Town, Lahore, said that the teachings of Sayyiduna Ghaus-ul-Azam (RA) emphasize purification of the soul and reform of one’s inner self. He said that inner reform must precede efforts to reform society.
He said that earning a lawful livelihood is essential for meeting the needs of life, but pure and halal earnings are equally fundamental to the purification of the heart.
Prof. Dr. Hassan Mohiuddin Qadri said that Sayyiduna Ghaus-ul-Azam (RA) was a distinguished jurist, Hadith scholar, exegete, commentator on the Seerah of the Holy Prophet ﷺ and a saint of Allah. Throughout his life, he regarded serving humanity and earning a lawful livelihood as acts of worship and imparted the same teachings to others.
He said that one of the central teachings of Sayyiduna Ghaus-ul-Azam (RA) is that a person should conduct all affairs of life in accordance with the Shariah. If a person offers prayers and gives charity but earns an unlawful livelihood, violates the rights of others, or is negligent in fulfilling the rights of fellow human beings, such acts will not yield their intended benefit. He urged people to continuously hold themselves accountable and reflect on their conduct, asking whether any of their actions might have caused hurt to another person.
He said that true servitude to Allah requires a person to keep the mirror of the heart free from prejudice, excessive worldly indulgence and immoral tendencies. Along with outward acts of worship, purification of the inner self, sincerity of intention and reform of character are equally essential.
He further said that true servitude and genuine success lie in ensuring that a person's outward conduct and inner self are free from contradiction.
The Chairman Supreme Council Minhaj-ul-Quran International said that if we genuinely want to reform society, we must begin by reforming ourselves from within. “Bring about change within first; once the inner self is transformed, it becomes easier to improve the external environment.” When an individual reforms his or her own self, the positive effects and benefits of that effort extend to the family and other members of society as well.
After offering Friday prayers, delegations from various cities and areas met with the Chairman Supreme Council.
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