If wishes were justice: breaking the grip of greed and exploitation

---

by Karim Muhammad Khan

---

As the saying goes, “If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.” Wishes and desires are an inherent part of human nature, no one can deny their existence. In ancient times, however, resources were limited, and people’s desires revolved mainly around the basic necessities of survival—food, clothing, and shelter. They were generally content with their simple way of life Internal strife was minimal, and mutual jealousy was rare.

People were not driven by lust or greed for excessive material possessions. Socioeconomic needs were met through mutual cooperation, and the direct exchange of goods and services, since currency did not yet exist for buying and selling. As a result, people led more peaceful and harmonious lives than in today’s modern era.

However, as humanity progressed, the circle of basic needs gradually expanded, and living standards rose alongside advancements in science and technology. Today, we stand at the threshold of the second quarter of the 21^st century, experiencing the fifth generation of the Industrial Revolution driven by artificial intelligence. Yet, despite tremendous progress in all spheres of life, a large portion of our country’s population still struggles to meet basic needs and secure fundamental rights. A major contributing factor is the unchecked desire of the ruling elites, public office holders, corporate mafias, and profiteers who have entered an unstoppable race for amassing wealth, thereby bypassing all ethical, moral, and legal boundaries.

Nevertheless, the desire to become wealthy is neither a crime nor a sin if achieved through fair and transparent processes driven by honest human effort and ability. However, pursuing riches through unethical and corrupt means is an evil act, as it deprives the needy and deserving people of their basic societal rights.

Furthermore, the pursuit of narrow personal ambitions has widened the gap between the haves and have-nots. This disparity deepens because laws and policies are often framed to protect the interests of a small segment of powerful ruling elites and influential mafias. Their unquenchable desires have hollowed out the very foundations of the country, leaving the underprivileged in a state of deprivation and despondency.

The pursuit of narrow personal ambitions has widened the gap between the haves and have-nots.

Obsessing over material possessions is foolish, for life is ephemeral: we enter this world with nothing and leave it empty-handed. Yet, in the intervening years, we fight for everything, crossing all ethical and legal boundaries.

It is an undeniable fact that physical existence is mortal, and material possessions alone cannot buy peace of mind or foster harmonious relationships with family and friends. Instead of becoming prisoners to insatiable desires by depriving the underprivileged of their rights, we should spend this short life in accordance with the golden principles of Islam, the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), and the code of conduct set forth in the Holy Quran. The core message the Holy Quran conveys to humanity is to practice equality, justice, generosity, truthfulness, honesty, and integrity in our daily lives. Moreover, our earnings must come through legal and ethical means. Only then can we lead a satisfying and successful life in this world and the hereafter.

To put these ethical values and golden principles into practice, the roles of educational institutions, family support systems, religious leaders, a vibrant media, and civil society are critical. Together, they can shape the younger generation into responsible, honest, diligent, and civilised citizens at local, regional, national, and global levels.

However, simply teaching and preaching ethics is not enough. It is the fundamental obligation of the state to enforce the rule of law, deliver swift justice, and guarantee equal opportunities to all its citizens, especially the working and lower middle classes who bear the heaviest burden of exploitation. This means smashing the unholy nexus of corruption of wealth and power that allows elite capture and the oligarchs and corporate giants to amass obscene wealth by plundering public resources, suppressing fair wages, and widening inequality.

The endless craving for opulence by the elite at the expense of others’ fundamental rights must be regulated through stern, impartial legal action, accountability irrespective of caste, creed, or colour. Only by dismantling such systemic greed and ensuring a just distribution of wealth can we build a truly peaceful, dignified, and equitable society.