Danish Ashraf Khan
When merit, hard work, and honesty are ignored—replaced by favoritism, bribery, and nepotism—the damage inflicted goes far beyond individual careers. It silently kills dreams and slowly erodes hope in the hearts of a nation’s youth. When a dedicated student, who has invested years of discipline and sacrifice, is denied opportunity, while someone less capable with the right connections rises swiftly, it doesn’t just shatter confidence—it crushes belief in justice itself.
This silent betrayal does not remain confined to the life of one person. It infects institutions. And when institutions are built on corruption rather than competence, they begin to crack. Over time, these cracks widen. The entire structure becomes weak, and eventually, societies collapse—not with a bang, but with the quiet resignation of those who stop believing that honesty will ever win.
We see it happening around us every day. Deserving students denied scholarships. Brilliant candidates overlooked in job interviews. Honest officers sidelined. Not because they lacked ability—but because they lacked influence. Meanwhile, the unqualified ascend, and the capable sink into silence, despair, and finally indifference.
The consequence? A growing generation that either gives up or gives in. Some leave the country in search of fairness elsewhere. Others stay back, bitter and disillusioned. Many more adapt by embracing the very system that once oppressed them—becoming part of the same machinery of favoritism and fraud. Thus, the cycle continues.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ warned us: “When trust is lost and responsibilities are given to those who are not worthy, await the Hour.” This is not just eschatological prophecy. It is a reminder of the destructive consequences when integrity is compromised. When leadership is assigned not by ability but by allegiance, corruption becomes the norm and justice the exception. A system where injustice prevails will inevitably lose the trust of its people. And when that trust is gone, people stop striving. They stop dreaming. They stop caring.
Hazrat Umar (RA), one of history’s most just rulers, once said that if even his enemy was more capable than his friend, he would appoint the enemy to lead. That is true meritocracy. That is justice. It is not idealism—it is a requirement for survival. Any society that places relationships above qualifications, and loyalty above ability, is on a path of self-destruction.
Islam as a faith is built on the foundations of fairness, truth, and merit. It teaches us not to tolerate injustice—even when it implicates ourselves. To remain silent in the face of corruption is to become complicit in it. When injustice becomes a habit, and favoritism a culture, the very fabric of a society begins to unravel.
If you feel disillusioned by the decay around you, know that you are not alone. But do not allow your disillusionment to turn into silence. Raise your voice. Speak for those who are unheard. Challenge injustice—not with anger, but with courage, wisdom, and principle. For even the smallest act of truth can shake the tallest edifice of falsehood.
Restoring merit requires collective courage. It begins with the willingness to say no to corruption, to demand transparency, and to value ability over affiliation. This change must start at home, in classrooms, in workplaces, in places of worship—and, above all, within our own hearts.
We must redefine success not by wealth or status, but by character and contribution. Parents must teach children that shortcuts lead to shallow victories. Teachers must lead by example, recognizing and encouraging genuine effort. Religious and community leaders must speak against unethical practices, even when they are deeply embedded in cultural norms.
Institutions must be rebuilt with strict accountability, fair recruitment, and independent oversight that is immune to political interference. Leadership must be assigned based on capability, not as a reward for loyalty. Laws must be enforced without fear or favour, and systems must be established to protect whistleblowers while punishing the guilty without delay.
Our education system must promote not just literacy but critical thinking, ethical courage, and moral leadership. Media must highlight the stories of the deserving and expose the abuse of power without hesitation. As citizens, our vote must be cast not on the basis of caste, clan, or charisma—but on character and competence.
It’s also time we stop glorifying unearned success. Let us celebrate honest beginnings. Let us honour the young woman who builds her future on merit, the government officer who refuses to bend rules, the entrepreneur who refuses to bribe. These are the heroes who must become role models for our children.
Change will not come overnight. But if we all take responsibility—if we all stand up, speak out, and lift those who deserve to rise—we can start to heal. The death of merit is not just the loss of opportunity. It is the death of a nation’s soul.
To revive our nation, we must restore justice. To restore justice, we must revive merit. Because where merit dies, hope dies. And where hope dies, nations fall.
Author is a Teacher, Writer and Public Servant . He can be reached at khandanishashraf506@gmail.com. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Kashmir Convener.
