Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri has said that the world has become our ultimate destination and we have practically broken our relationship with our Lord. The majority of people are so overpowered by the materialistic desires that acquirement of the worldly interests has become our topmost priority. He said that this materialist attitude is gnawing our faith and our mental and physical capabilities are being used for the attainment of luxuries only.

Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri regretted that what was most unfortunate was the fact that the nation has made the incompetent lot as their leaders and the corrupt, rogue and the misguided elements have been put in the saddle. “Usurping the right of others and violating the honour of the people has become the habit of the ruling elite. It is regrettable that those who were to safeguard the life, dignity and honour of the state and society have ended up becoming plunderers of the worst kind. Terrorism is holding sway in the country and slitting the throats of one another has become a routine,” he added.

Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri expressed these views while addressing millions of people on the occasion of annual international spiritual gathering on ‘Layla-tul-Qadr’ in Jamia al-Minhaj Township, Lahore. Pir Amin-ul-Hasnaat, Faiz-ur-Rehman Durrani, Allama Ali Ghzanfar Kararvi, Dr Raheeq Ahmad Abbasi, Sheikh Zahid Fayyaz, Rana Muhammad Idrees and Ahmad Nawaz Anjum were also present on the occasion.

Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri said that our hearts have become devoid of fear of Allah and the culture of loot and plunder has become rampant. He said that people become miserly while spending for the sake of people’s welfare and open up coffers of their wealth for the satisfaction of their worldly desires. Violating the self-respect of the underprivileged and downtrodden sections of society has become a norm in society today and facade of helping the poor is often resorted in order to achieve social prominence. The situation, he added, has come to such a point that attitudes marked by conceit, jealousy, bias, enmity, and oppression have become worthy of pride, while the followers of spiritualism would regard them as manifest violation of what Islam stands for.

Commenting on the state of spiritualism in society, Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri said that spiritualism has been confined to performance of ritualism, whereas the fact remains that it is all about excellence of morality, character and manners. He said that spiritualism relates to how excellent one is in one’s interactions and dealings with his fellow human beings. “If one is able to be excellent in his attitude towards people, Allah Almighty enables such a person to worship Him as well. If spiritualism is informed by productive knowledge, one’s view of life and on life undergoes a drastic change,” he maintained.

Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri maintained that today’s concept of spiritualism is devoid of action. Spiritualism, he said, means sacrificing one’s own rights and struggling to restore others’ rights. “Spiritualism advocates the inculcation of attitude of patience, hard work, bravery, and justice and frees its followers of the hold of ignorance, oppression and lust,” he held. Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri said that there is a need to launch a struggle against ignorance and illiteracy, which in other words, requires the attainment of productive knowledge. He said categorically that we have no future without knowledge. Urging the need for self-accountability, he said that positive values can take root in the society only if we work towards eliminating negative attitudes.

After the conclusion of his speech, Shaykh-ul-Islam led a tearful Dua for security and peace in the motherland, its progress and prosperity and reform in our individual and collective attitudes. Millions of people beseechingly implored Allah Almighty to take mercy on them and steer the nation of the present crises. The special address of Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri was broadcast live around the world through Minhaj.tv and various private TV channels including Geo, ARY, City 42, and Dunya TV networks.