Today’s topic is very important, especially concerning the IT sector. I would like to share a little from my experience in life and from the offices I have served in. I think the most unique and foundational thing about the universe is life. Why is this earth unique? Why is it special among the numerous planets, stars, and solar systems? It is because it has life on it.
Everything we have been doing, both today and throughout history, has been to serve human life in particular, and then naturally, the other forms of life, animal life and sea life. All our efforts are focused on improving human life. Life is the biggest gift bestowed by the heavens upon earth, and since the time humans were foragers and wanderers with no societies or communities, the focus has always been to improve life. That is why the agricultural revolution was brought about: to create settled societies. It was through the formation of societies that humanity evolved from foragers to homo sapiens, and now to educated and civilized beings.
Allah Ta’ala has not made this earth meaningless. If you are alive, your life has traits, requirements, and value. For life to exist meaningfully, certain things are essential. The most important of all are your rights. You cannot be deprived of them. These are foundational rights that nature has conferred upon every human being: the right to live, the right to freedom, and the right to express oneself. Without these rights, you cannot think freely, work productively, or share your knowledge with others. I sometimes reflect and feel deeply about this. My friend here, Ikram Sehgal, although he is no longer just a friend but a brother, has been like family to me since our first meeting. He is older than me, and I will not reveal his age, but he is still full of energy and struggle. What kind of struggle? Believe me, it is for the betterment of people.
I have always admired Ashfaq Ahmed, a man of great wisdom and intellect. Once, I asked him about his philosophy, since everything he analyzed revolved around the wisdom, vision, and intellect of an old man he called ‘Baba’. He told me, “Saqib, the wise man (Baba) is the one who creates ease and facilities for others.” I must tell you that Baba, indeed, is who Ikram Sehgal is, a man who, even at this age, works tirelessly for the welfare of others, despite needing nothing but rest and comfort for himself. Today’s topic, too, is about the betterment and progress of humankind, about achieving goals that make life better. I would like to share two or three important thoughts. We may not know much about prehistoric human life, but we know a great deal about post-historic life. Humanity has a history spanning millions of years, documented through scriptures, fossils, and archaeological findings. Yet, the progress witnessed in the last two hundred years, especially the last eighty, has been unmatched. The technological advancement of recent decades has completely transformed life.
What is technology? It is a form of knowledge. The progress we see today is the result of a revolution in knowledge. This revolution has made human life so comfortable that it has become almost luxurious. I began practicing law in 1980, after graduating in 1979, and at that time, I did not know about computers. We used typewriters that would often jam, and it took hours to prepare a single draft. Today, with modern technology, I can dictate to a computer and have a complete draft ready in minutes. The convenience technology has brought to human life is extraordinary.
However, I must make a humble request. Please, for God’s sake, do not allow two things to happen. First, do not discriminate between males and females. The opportunities you create for your sons must be equally available to your daughters. Society thrives on the harmony between both. Allah has made no distinction between their intellectual or creative abilities, so we must not discriminate either. Give women equal opportunities to progress, because they are the nurturers and teachers of future generations. The education and wisdom that a mother imparts at home cannot be replaced by any school or institution. The children have to go there later, but their foundation is built at home.
The discussions and conferences like these must lead to practical steps. Ikram and I have attended many international seminars and passed countless resolutions, but too often, they end up in cold storage. Every time such gatherings are held, I ask, What practical steps have been taken since the last one, and what outcomes have we achieved? Please ensure that the work being done today results in tangible progress.
Regarding concepts like cryptocurrency, I admit these terms are still new to me, but I am learning. The goal, however, remains the same: human progress and financial empowerment. Ikram, your institutions and initiatives, such as the Providentia Books Foundation, are great examples of serving humanity by promoting education for underprivileged children.
In today’s world, nothing is more valuable than knowledge. Education and learning are the greatest blessings and the truest forms of wealth. Whatever you have discussed today, it all leads toward a single path, progress through knowledge. May Allah grant you success in your struggle and bless all your efforts for humanity.
