Elections, Bread Politics, and the Intellectual Decline of the Ummah✍ Written by: Hamid Kamaluddin
(Translated from Urdu to English)
Introduction
The masses typically view circumstances superficially, ignoring the deeper forces at play. What is truly astonishing is that even intellectuals often fall prey to this shallow perspective.
The “Thrilling” Spectacle of Pakistani Elections
With every election cycle, the nation clings to new hope — maybe this time, their destiny will change. Emotional slogans, promises of bread, electricity, flour, milk, and rivers of honey are sold to the masses. Yet the objective remains confined to material comfort and worldly gain.
The Qur’an mentions the behavior of Bani Israel:"Earth-grown vegetables, cucumbers, wheat, lentils, and onions..."
(Al-Baqarah: 61)
This verse highlights a pattern of behavior: when a nation abandons its grand mission and begins to chase worldly cravings, the outcome is nothing but humiliation and degradation.
Global Order and the Current State of Humanity
The governance of the Qur’an has vanished from the world. A global system is being constructed that equates worldly progress with ultimate success—a world free from hunger and poverty, yet also free from divine revelation and sacred laws.
The Deceptive Game of Bread and Capitalism
Humanity is being fed the illusion of progress in the name of “bread”, while the real objective is to elevate man to a god-like status. This humanism is nurtured by capitalist systems, where God is relegated to places of worship and not life at large.
The Saved Group (Ṭā’ifah Manṣūrah): The Ummah’s Custodians
Islamic texts and Hadith mention a resilient group, the Ṭā’ifah Manṣūrah, that will always stand firm against falsehood. This group plays two essential roles:
① Scholars and Thinkers – who intellectually defeat falsehood.
② Mujāhidīn – who combat falsehood on the battlefield.
This group ensures the preservation of truth and survival of the Ummah until the end of time.
True Slavery: Intellectual Defeat
True defeat is not military conquest. It is when a nation surrenders its intellectual principles, and begins to internalize false ideologies. That is when true slavery begins.
☝ Tawḥīd: Rebellion Against Global Polytheism
Today's global order is founded on the greatest modern form of polytheism—elevating man to the status of God. Democracy, secularism, capitalism, and personal freedom are all part of a comprehensive ideological package, seeking to replace divine sovereignty with human rule.
The Dilemma of Islamic Movements
Many Islamic movements have begun trying to fit themselves into the mold of the global order, forgetting their original mission. This trend not only contradicts Islamic principles, but weakens the struggle for true Islamic revival.
Conclusion
The core of Islamic belief is to reject every manifestation of jāhiliyyah (ignorance) and to affirm only the sovereignty of Allah.
Without this foundational commitment, true freedom and dignity for the Ummah are impossible.
