Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqba, on Wednesday, called for a renewed commitment to the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Seerah of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), stressing that fulfilling the responsibilities of Khilafah al-Arz (Claiphate on Earth) required a deep and practical connection with Islam.
Addressing an international conference at the Institute of Arts and Design, he described the Quran and Sunnah as the foundational pillars of Islamic civilization.
He said knowledge, discovery and research were integral parts of the Islamic tradition and should be pursued with the same reverence as religious obligations.
“The Holy Quran is not just a sacred book to be recited but a comprehensive code of life. Similarly, the Prophet (PBUH)’s Seerah is not merely a revered story but a blueprint for how we must live, both individually and collectively.”
He lamented the present state of the Muslim world, noting that despite a population exceeding two billion, the Ummah remained vulnerable and fragmented.
“A nation of ten million (referring to Israel) has managed to dominate a population of over two billion. It decides when and where to shed the blood of Muslims. Today, Gaza continues to be bombarded even after high-level summits among Muslim leaders,” he added.
Citing a Hadith, Ahsan Iqbal warned that Muslims have become enamoured with worldly pursuits and have lost sight of their divine mission. “We have forgotten our true purpose and are now falling into a downward spiral. Our predecessors spread the message of Islam from Morocco to Indonesia.”