Pakistan: A Divine Gift and a Responsibility

M Rashid Tabassum
Pakistan is one of the countless blessings bestowed upon us by Allah Almighty. Just as He has granted humanity with various resources and favours, He expects us to benefit from them and express our gratitude through humility and thankfulness. Pakistan, being a remarkable blessing and a manifestation of divine mercy, demands our appreciation, preservation, and sincere loyalty. Our forefathers, who lived under the cunning dominance of the British and faced the narrow-minded hostility of Hindu extremists, truly understand the significance of Pakistan. They endured tyranny, discrimination, and systemic oppression, and therefore recognize this homeland as an enormous and rare gift from Allah. The real worth of freedom can be understood by looking at the oppressed Muslims of Palestine, whose right to live is constantly being snatched. Similarly, the value of independence is felt deeply by those Pakistani citizens who have spent years in Indian jails. Upon their release and return to Pakistan, they bow in gratitude, kiss the sacred soil, and proclaim the unmatched blessing that is Pakistan. When Pakistan came into existence on August 14, 1947, millions of Muslims—wounded, displaced, and broken—crossed into its sacred territory. Many arrived with nothing but scars of slavery and brutal persecution at the hands of the British and Hindus. As soon as they set foot in this blessed land, they kissed the ground in tears, thanking Allah for granting them a homeland. The ideological foundation of Pakistan was laid by Allama Muhammad Iqbal, who, in his historic address at the 21st Annual Meeting of the All-India Muslim League in Allahabad (December 1930), envisioned a separate Muslim state. He stated: “I have given the precious part of my life to a keenly studies of Islam, its law, its culture, its history and its literature. I am not despaired of Islam as a living force. I would like to see the Punjab, North-West Frontier Province, Sind and Baluchistan amalgamated into a single State. India is the greatest Muslim country in the world. The life of Islam as a cultural force in the country very largely depends on its centralization in a specified territory.” Just a decade later, in 1940, the 27th session of the All-India Muslim League was held in Lahore, where the Lahore Resolution was passed—paving the way for the creation of Pakistan. This resolution was ridiculed by Hindu leaders and the Congress-backed media, who termed it treacherous and impossible. Little did they realize that the “fantasy” they mocked would become a reality within just seven years. Historians and sociologists are still amazed at how the dream of Pakistan was realized in just 17 years from Iqbal’s Allahabad address to its actual creation in 1947. Despite the enormous resources and influence of the British Empire and Hindu majority, they failed to suppress the resolve of the Indian Muslims. The formation of Pakistan stands as one of the most astonishing achievements in modern human history. The unifying force behind the Pakistan Movement was none other than Islam. It was the spirit of Islamic brotherhood and the dream of an Islamic state that united Muslims across the subcontinent—even those from regions like Bihar, UP, Patna, Lucknow, Kanpur, and Saharanpur—who knew they would not become part of Pakistan geographically, yet participated in the movement with unmatched dedication. Those who sacrificed their lives, homes, and families for Pakistan have fulfilled their duty. Now, it is our responsibility to honour their sacrifices and protect this sacred homeland. Pakistan is not just a country—it is the shade of divine mercy, a symbol of collective struggle, and a trust of martyrs. At present, the people of Pakistan are facing severe challenges. Skyrocketing inflation, widespread unemployment, crippling power and gas shortages, and lack of access to basic health and education services have left the common man struggling to survive. These issues can only be addressed through honest leadership, effective governance, and a justice-based system. As we celebrate Independence Day, we must reflect on its true message: unity, sacrifice, and commitment to a prosperous and welfare-based Pakistan. Let us come together to sincerely serve Allah, overcome cowardice, uphold Islamic values, and respect one another across political, social, and religious divides. It is our collective duty to safeguard both the ideological and geographical boundaries of Pakistan. May we remain united, steadfast, and worthy of this divine gift. Aameen. Note: Muhammad Rashid is a freelance journalist based in Lahore, can be reached at [email protected].