Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: "Beware of bribery for verily it is sheer infidelity,

and the briber will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise."[Bihar al-Anwar, v. 104,
p. 274, no. 12]

Corruption is an evil which has played havoc with the socio-economic development
of Pakistan. Corruption is a curse and a major hurdle to the progress of Pakistan.
According to the World Bank estimates, more than US$1 trillion is paid in bribes
every year and according to one estimate the cross-border flow of proceeds from
corruption, criminal activities, and tax evasion is US$3.61 trillion every year, or the
equivalent of 3 to 5 percent of the world’s GDP. The African Union has estimated that
corruption costs African economies in excess of US$148 billion a year which
represents 25% of Africa's GDP. These statistics shows that corruption is not only
threat to Pakistan, but it is also a major irritant in the development of countries at
global level.

Pakistan is facing corruption in almost every sector. There are many types of
corruption. Commonly known types are (1) - Systemic corruption, (2)-Sporadic
(individual) corruption, (3) - Political (Grand) corruption, (4) - Petty corruption, (5) -
Legal and Moral Corruption.

Systemic corruption is an integrated and essential aspect of the economic, social and
political system, when it is embedded in a wider situation that helps sustain it.
Whereas, sporadic corruption is the opposite of systemic corruption. Sporadic
corruption occurs irregularly and therefore it does not threaten the mechanisms of
control nor the economy as such.

The third type of corruption is political corruption, which means any transaction
between private and public sector actors through which collective goods are
illegitimately converted into private-regarding payoffs. Political corruption is often
used synonymously with grand or high level corruption, distinguished from
bureaucratic or petty corruption because it involves political decision-makers. This
type of corruption is common in Pakistan.

Petty corruption means a small scale, bureaucratic everyday corruption that takes
place at the implementation end of politics, where public officials meet the public.
Petty corruption is bribery in connection with the implementation of existing laws,
rules and regulations, and thus different from grand or political corruption. Such
corruption is very much common in our daily lives. Whether courts, police stations,
colleges, hospitals, or any other institution, such corruption is present everywhere in
Pakistan. Corruption in Pakistan is rampant; almost every institution is involved in
corruption.

According to the Transparency International report 2011, Pakistan stands at 34th

position in the world. The level of corruption has reached the optimum and it is
advisable for the government of Pakistan to take some serious action to root out this
menace from society. Corruption has a wide range of implications for the society.
Corrupt people being in strong position deprive the poor and weak of their due rights
and share. Corruption causes inequity in society and the gap between the rich and the
poor increases. It is also regarded as the murder of merit. Corrupt people bypass
deserving people and appoint their relatives or supporters to lucrative posts. A Greek
statesman Pericles has described corruption in a fascinating way.

“Fishes live in the sea, as men do on land: the great ones eat up the little ones.”

In this way, a competent man is deprived of his right. This is one of the reasons that
our youth is striving for change in Pakistan. Corruption also causes poverty and
unemployment. When deserving people are denied their right then it is obvious that
poverty and unemployment will increase. Due to corruption we have a poor
infrastructure, roads and buildings. Corrupt contractors use low quality material in the
construction of building, roads and bridges, risking the lives of many. The government
must take concrete steps to root out this menace from society.

Our leaders must read this Hadith and realize this fact that there will be accountability
in the life after death. "A ruler who has been entrusted with the affairs of Muslims, but
makes no endeavor (for their material and moral uplift) and is not sincerely concerned
(for their welfare) will not enter paradise along with them." (Sahih Muslim1:82)

It is necessary for us to first identify the cause of corruption. Only then we can
propose remedy for it. The first cause of rapid corruption in Pakistan is lack of
accountability. Our institutions like anti-corruption department and National
Accountability Bureau- (NAB) are not fully independent. Whether it is military rule
or civilian government, these institutions have been influenced and used by both civil
and military governments for their personal gains or political victimization of the
opponents.

One of the major causes of corruption is deviation of people from the teachings of the
Holy Quran and Sunnah. The Holy Prophet (SAW) said: "If you get something from
people because of your position it is bribery. Would you get it if you are not holding
that position, or if you stay in your father's house?"
The apostle of Allah Almighty has also said: “Allah will call us to account how we
spend our life, our youth, our wealth and our knowledge.”

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: "Whosoever from you is appointed by us to a

position of authority and he conceals from us a needle or something smaller than that,
it would be misappropriation (of public funds) and [he] will (have to) produce it on
the Day of Judgment." (Sahih Muslim no. 847)

Almighty Allah says: "And eat up not one another’s property unjustly (in any illegal
way e.g. stealing, robbing, deceiving, etc.), nor give bribery to the rulers (judges
before presenting your cases) that you may knowingly eat up a part of the property of
others sinfully." (Surah Al-Baqara, Ayat: 188)

Holy Quran states: "Corruption (sins and disobedience of Allah, etc.) has appeared on
land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned (by oppression and evil
deeds, etc.), that Allah may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in
order that they may return (by repenting to Allah, and begging His Pardon)." (Surah
Ar-Rum, Ayat :41).

“The Apostle of Allah (SAW) cursed the one who bribes (rashi) and the one who takes
(murtashi).” (Sunan Abu Dawud, Hadith No. 1595).

All these above narrations from Quran and Sunnah clearly assert that there is no place
of such sleaze in Islam. A true Muslim would never deviate from the words of Allah,
and His Prophet (SAW). Corruption has been denounced by Allah and our prophet
and it is binding upon every Muslim to curb this menace.