In the name of Allah, may His peace and blessings be upon His final Messenger, Muhammad, his family, and his companions.
In light of the recent war between Pakistan and India, there are some key points I would like to offer to the people and leaders of Pakistan. [1]
I have visited Pakistan a few times, and I stated many years ago that the country is qualified to be a superpower.
The recent conflict and the country’s success in teaching a hard lesson to a strong adversary reaffirm this, but I strongly believe there are a few pillars which will help achieve this ambition.
BACKGROUND
- An armed conflict involving Pakistan and India took place from 7-10 May 2025
- Both sides experienced military losses; at least 25 Indian and 11 Pakistani soldiers were killed, with many more injured
- At least five Indian jets were shot down, including one MiG-29, three Rafales, and a Su-30MKI, while three Pakistani air bases were damaged
- A US-brokered ceasefire was declared on 10 May, after it had initially appeared reluctant to become involved
- Since Britain partitioned India in 1947 — along Muslim and Hindu lines — the two neighbours have engaged in numerous armed conflicts
- While most wars have revolved around Kashmir, this and future conflicts are increasingly assuming a proxy nature, with the US and China acting as the primary opposing forces
Upholding unity
Firstly, unity must not be a temporary reaction limited to times of crisis, but a consistent value embedded in the nation’s social, political, educational, and religious fabric.
Allah (jalla wa ‘ala) has made unity a divine source of power.
He says in the Qur’ān,
And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.” [2]
The Prophet ﷺ also emphasised this when he said,
The Hand of Allah is with the united people.” [3]
It is unfortunate that even during this last war, certain voices within India — including opposition groups and some Muslim scholars — chose to support a nationalistic Indian agenda over truth and justice. This is not right.
Tip of the iceberg
This war was a manifestation of a much deeper, existential conflict than one between two neighbouring states.
India today stands as a visible front for a broader Western-Zionist agenda. This is evident from its close alliance with the Zionist state and its growing strategic ties with the United States.
These partnerships are deliberate, ideological, and geopolitical in nature. In fact, India’s increasingly aggressive anti-Islamic policies — targeting its own Muslim citizens — reinforce this alignment.
Examples include the 1995 Waqf Act, the demolition of many mosques including Babri in 1992, and the discriminatory identity-based Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) passed in 2019.
Strategic awareness of geopolitics
This conflict with India must be understood within the wider geopolitical, regional, and global context.
At the global level, there is a well-known and intensifying strategic rivalry between the United States and China.
Since the second (and even the first) Trump administration began, American foreign policy has openly identified China as its principal competitor and challenge on multiple fronts — economic, technological, and military.
As a result, both powers are increasingly engaged in proxy confrontations rather than direct warfare.
The United States continues to strengthen its ties with India — militarily, diplomatically, and economically. At the same time, China is seen as a key partner and supporter of Pakistan.
And this has several important implications:
- The United States may seek to test China’s resolve and the capabilities of its allies, including Pakistan.
- There may be a long-term aim to entangle Pakistan in a prolonged conflict that weakens its economy and political stability.
- Regional tensions could be manipulated to serve the interests of external powers, at the expense of regional peace and Muslim unity.
Covering all angles during preparations
Pakistan’s leadership must manage the current situation while preparing the country for the long-term implications of being caught up in a broader global rivalry.
Building strength in faith, education, social justice, administrative reform, and unity are all foundational elements for long-term resilience.
This level of strategic awareness is part of the Prophetic method of leadership: anticipating possible threats, preparing for various outcomes, and ensuring that the nation is never caught unprepared.
Therefore, Pakistan’s response must go beyond military measures (which are central, though not my field to elaborate on) and into a comprehensive civilisational response.
A strong Pakistan is rooted in faith
As we know, power is not measured solely by military capabilities or economic strength.
On the contrary, true strength lies in a comprehensive foundation, with faith being the core ideological and spiritual bedrock of any nation to tackle its challenges.
These challenges are part of a complex confrontation between opposing worldviews — one that seeks to marginalise Islam and Muslims, and another that holds firmly to Islamic identity, sovereignty, and justice.
Every global power today is unified by a central ideology. For Pakistan, this unifying force is Islam. The country was established on the basis of Islamic identity, and it is only through Islam that it can remain united, dignified, and empowered.
Therefore, the first pillar of national strength must be a deep commitment to Islam. This includes reviving Islamic faith within society, integrating it into public life, and investing in da’wah.
Allah (jalla wa a‘la) reminds us,
If you support Allah, He will support you and make your foothold firm.” [4]
And He also tells us,
If you are patient and fear Allah, their plot will not harm you in the least.” [5]
Education is the backbone of a nation
The second fundamental pillar for building a strong Pakistan is education.
Pakistan is blessed with millions of educated individuals, and its military — particularly the Air Force — has demonstrated exceptional discipline, sophistication, and technical expertise in recent days.
However, for national strength to be sustainable, it must invest heavily in its educational infrastructure — particularly in the quality and values of what is taught.
A curriculum rooted in Islamic values, critical thinking, scientific excellence, and moral responsibility will produce visionary leaders and active citizens who can build and protect the future of the nation.
Allah says,
Read in the name of your Lord who created.” [6]
And He commanded His Messenger ﷺ:
And say, ‘My Lord, increase me in knowledge.'” [7]
Indeed, the Prophet ﷺ emphasised the value of knowledge continuously. He encouraged both religious learning and practical skills.
After the Battle of Badr, he accepted the ransom of certain prisoners in the form of teaching literacy to ten Muslim children. He instructed Zayd ibn Thābit to learn Hebrew for the sake of diplomatic correspondence.
This model of practical, intellectual, and spiritual growth must be revived today.
Loyalty and stability through social justice
The third essential pillar for a strong and adaptable Pakistan is social justice.
This is connected to nearly every major area of national life — governance, economy, education, and public welfare.
A nation that fails to ensure justice will inevitably suffer from internal disloyalty, division, and external vulnerability.
Upon arriving in Madina, the Prophet ﷺ outlined a model for a cohesive and just society:
O people, spread peace (Salām), feed one another, maintain family ties, and pray at night while others sleep — you will enter Paradise in peace.” [8]
No one is to be neglected — neither materially nor emotionally.
Moreover, Allah (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) repeatedly commands justice:
Indeed, Allah commands justice, good conduct, and giving to relatives, and forbids immorality, bad conduct, and oppression.” [9]
He also says,
And establish weight in justice and do not make deficient the balance.” [10]
Allah also reminds us,
Be just; that is nearer to righteousness.” [11]
Unsurprisingly, one of the most important institutions for justice and righteousness is the judiciary. Without an independent and fair judicial system, justice becomes a tool of the powerful, and the rights of the weak are trampled.
So, for Pakistan to prosper and endure, there needs to be fair access to education and healthcare, promotion of equal economic opportunity, and the empowerment of impartial and accessible courts.
Corruption must be combatted
The fourth area that demands urgent reform for Pakistan’s success and flourishing is its administrative system.
Pakistan continues to face severe economic challenges — many of which stem from administrative inefficiency and widespread corruption.
This is something that stifles development, deters investment, erodes public trust, and ultimately destroys nations from within, no matter how rich in resources or strategically located they may be.
Therefore, civil services, local governance, public health, education, taxation, and law enforcement ought to be streamlined, digitised where possible, and held accountable through transparent mechanisms.
Effective reform must start at the top, with leaders demonstrating personal integrity and setting a clear example of public service.
The Prophet ﷺ said,
The one who gives a bribe and the one who takes it are both cursed.” [12]
Building alliances and regional communities
Another area I am confident many visionary Pakistanis are already reflecting on, is the importance of building strategic alliances, both regionally and globally.
In today’s interconnected world, no country can thrive in isolation. Strong nations are those that establish meaningful, long-term relationships with allies who share their values, interests, and vision.
Afghanistan is a good contender for such an alliance. Given the historical, religious, cultural, and geographic proximity between the two countries, it is only logical and strategic that it should be among Pakistan’s closest allies.
Pakistan has been closely involved in Afghanistan’s modern history, particularly during the resistance against the Soviet Union and later against the American occupation.
Many communities across Pakistan — especially among the Pashtun population — share ethnic, tribal, and cultural bonds with the Afghan people.
More importantly, Pakistan and Afghanistan are united by faith, as well as a common adherence to the Hanafi school of thought. This provides a strong foundation for intellectual, religious, and cultural co-operation.
Afghanistan also controls critical mountain passes into Central Asia, thereby offering access routes into both Pakistan and India. The significance of this cannot be overstated.
Beyond Afghanistan, Pakistan should actively pursue and strengthen its ties with other Muslim-majority countries. For example, Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
And the ongoing co-operation between Pakistan and Türkiye is a highly strategic partnership that should be expanded beyond politics and defence. It should also cover economic, cultural, and educational connections.
It must be said that it is neither wise nor strategic for Pakistan to rely solely on China, especially in areas such as defence and military capabilities. While China is a powerful ally, it is a global superpower with its own agenda. No single foreign power should have the ability to paralyse or control Pakistan’s military systems or infrastructure. Strategic diversification and balanced diplomacy are vital.
Pakistan must prepare to defend itself militarily and ideologically, and integrate itself within a broader, principled, self-reliant Muslim bloc. Such a bloc can become a powerful source of mutual support, strength, and protection.
We ask Allah (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) to protect Pakistan, to bless it with stability and justice, and to help it rise, until we witness it as a superpower among nations.
Source: Islam21c
Notes
[1] https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/after-ceasefire-what-lies-ahead-india-and-pakistan
[2] al-Qur’ān, 3:103
[3] al-Nasā’i; https://sunnah.com/nasai:4020
[4] al-Qur’ān, 47:7
[5] al-Qur’ān, 3:120
[6] al-Qur’ān, 96:1
[7] al-Qur’ān, 20:114
]8[ Ibn Mājah; https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah:3251
]9[ al-Qur’ān, 16:90
[10] al-Qur’ān, 55:9
[11] al-Qur’ān, 5:8
[12] Abu Dāwūd; https://sunnah.com/abudawud:3580
Assalam-o-‘alaikum Dr Al-Haddad,
Jazak Allahu Khairan for sharing your thoughts. I’d like to add a few words:
1) Living with an enemy next door, Pakistanis, especially the armed forces have a very deep, continuous and current observation of what is happening around in the geographical region where the country belongs, and in the wider world. It is heartening to see the nation being united behind the armed forces in war. Now it will be interesting to see if the governing regime of Pakistan is able to see the Haq (Truth) who is currently in prison because of the curtains on their eyes and on the eyes of the scholars of Pakistan.
2) I agree with your analysis about Afghanistan on our North-West border and hope that the governing regime of Pakistan understands its importance sooner rather than later.
3) We are also aware how the current developments are taking place in the Middle East countries where some regimes are so friendly to western countries that they seem to be on the brink of recognising the occupying power in Palestine under the pretext of ‘Abrahamic Accord’. I refuse to call this occuping power a zionist state because it is not even a state. It is an illegitimate child of the West and a terrorising power that was promoted after the first world war. I differ with you in that.
4) It is true that people of Pakistan need education, not only to become a super power but more importantly to win back their respectful place in the world. They need to understand that they are followers of a Prophet (Salle Allahu ‘alaihe wa sallam) who was a Truthful and Trustworthy person of his society even before he was chosen to become the Last and Promised Prophet. Thus these traits are fundamental for us Pakistanis to earn their respect along with educating themselves. Otherwise, most of the Middle Eastern countries will keep behaving with them as if they are worse than animals when they go and work there as labourers. So, with education, truthfulness and trustworthiness they will gain their self-respect.
5) Most of the Pakistani scholars have recently lagged in seeing the Haq (Truth) in their own country. They have also lagged in reacting to the recent massacre of civilians in Gaza, hence a delayed and faint call to Jihad, which should have taken place months ago. Because they were lagging in their call to Jihad, the war came to their door from the Eastern border where the man-power and equipment of the zionist occupying power was also used against Pakistan.
Allahu Akbar
Pakistan zindabad (Long live Pakistan!)
The article, although well meaning, comes across as naive.
None of our Arab brothers showed ANY meaningful support for Pakistan in this, or in any of the Pak-Ind conflicts, choosing to support India instead. Take note amongst others, the UAE!
It has to be noted that Pakistan set up the air forces and even seconded it’s pilots to all the Gulf States.
During both the 1967 and 1973 Arab – israeli wars, Pakistani pilots volunteered their services to the Arab participants. Saiful Azam, was credited with shooting down four zionist jets, whilst flying for both Iraq and Jordan in 1967. Nb. Azam was ethnically a Bengali.
In 1973, Sattar Alvi, piloting a Syrian MiG 21, shot down at least one israeli jet.
Afghanistan’s relationship with Pakistan, especially during Indian aggression against Islamabad, has been questionable. Regardless of the regime in place, even the Taliban have shown their true colours, Afghanistan has always backed New Delhi. The Afghan venom is strangely diluted when one remembers that India supported the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, as well as discretely, the 2001 US occupation. Nb. Yalda Hakim would do well to remember during her pro hindu/Indian rants, that her family and herself were welcomed for 2 years as refugees in Pakistan, as well as 5 million others, during the Indian-backed invasion of her country in 1979. India took in less than 50,000 Afghans, mostly hindus and Sikhs
Here I want to make it clear that I utterly condemn Pakistans forced deportations of Afghans.
However, when one compares Afghanistan’s attitude with the massive wholehearted and fraternal support which the Muslims of Bangladesh have given Pakistan, one is truly humbled. I actually got the impression that our blessed Muslim Bangladeshis were more Pakistani than Pakistani!
NOTHING Afghanistan can complain about Pakistan comes anywhere NEAR the ordeal the then East Pakistanis went through! Yet look at the contrast in the sublime stance of the Muslims of Bangladesh!
Pakistan did not draw up the Durrand Line!
Turkiye’s sterling support cannot and should never be forgotten. Hilariously, after receiving a bloody good hiding from Pakistan and with China flexing it’s muscles on its border with India, hindutva fanatics, led by the maladjusted Modi, are now threatening Turkiye! These pathetic hindutva should do well to remember that Babur and Timur were Turks! A positive from this is that Turkiye will be a hindutva -free zone. We should increase our spending on Turkish items and go on holiday to Turkiye.
To conclude, the treasonous behaviour of the Arab regimes, who are submerged in primary a nationalist racist fervour, coupled undoubtedly with a perceived self preservation mentality, stems from the fact they are deliberately behaving in a manner which goes against any form of Islamic principles.