My country is poor and corrupt, people blame the government. What shall I do?

reading time ~6 mins

Stop blaming others and start your personal transformation

How can I as an individual in a developing country deal with corruption and injustice, and maybe even help others along the way?

Tired of blaming and complaining about the government and the concentration of tyrannical power with a few individuals

Below are some ideas of what an individual can do

These are applicable regardless of gender, race, age, ethnicity, location or time. The earlier you start the better

Become a critical thinker. Question every social norm and practice
1. Do not follow things without knowledge (Quran 17:36)
Spend time in contemplation and self awareness. Confused or cowardly people are very easy to manipulate

Start reading and gain knowledge on multiple subjects. Learn about science, philosophy, finance, economics, psychology, mental & physical health, social and political systems, world history, etc. Never stop doing this, always keep learning in parallel
1. Only people of knowledge truly fear God (Quran 35:28) And those who fear God, are not afraid of others
2. Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon everyone who submits (ibn majah 224)
Learn to be authentic and start saying “No” to authority figures, friends, family, and coworkers for superficial man-made burdens and expectations. You must only fulfil your moral and contractual obligations
1. God wants ease for you. Social norms shackle and burden you
Understand the value of health, sleep, self care, fun and healthy relationships. Find time to recharge
1. Your body has rights over you (bukhari 5199)
Improve your physical fitness and learn self defense or a type of mixed martial art. This brings confidence in your communication as well. Plato was a philosopher and a wrestler
Become an intellectual warrior. Your skills they can’t take from you. Be so good they can’t ignore you

Become courageous and start within your inner circles to show courage. Life is not a popularity contest. Be brave and awkward while being kind. Courage cannot be learnt from books. It has to be practiced regularly and repeatedly. Start standing up to injustice. Cowardice and morality cannot coexist. A coward who sees injustice and doesn’t do anything about it will experience cognitive dissonance
Stop being afraid of death. It is preordained and only comes when God allows it. It cannot be moved a second forward or back (Quran 6:61) (Quran 7:34)
Stop being afraid of poverty – your provision is already written
1. No one will die without consuming all his provision (ibn majah 2144)
2. Know that if the nations gathered together to benefit you, they could not benefit you unless God has decreed it for you. And if the nations gathered together to harm you, they could not harm you unless God has decreed it for you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried (tirmidhi 2516)

Choose any injustice that bothers you and create your purpose around it. There are many social, political, economical and human causes where you can contribute
Find like minded people in your circles. Organize into groups and bring change in society by promoting values and ideas that help human beings. Choose whatever tools are there at your disposal to bring positive change
Keep your scope bigger than just your family, community, country or time. Find global solutions which will help the entire world for the next 500 years if not more
Be creative, innovative and entrepreneurial. Aim high. Create opportunities for social and economic development. Remain persistent

Give up love of worldly things. They will come if your purpose is clear. Do not spend your time only focusing on seeking them alone
Always question your sincerity and the nobility of your intentions, never do things for the wrong reasons. Wealth and fame are never the goal. Avoid them if possible (their presence or absence will stop playing a role in your journey). If your purpose is strong it will not matter who validates you or claps for you. Validate yourself. If praise comes from others this is a bonus (not the goal)
Avoid seeking positions of leadership and power (tirmidhi 1529). If it is given by others without asking, then be humble and just
Even if success doesn’t come, you are still far better falling down while trying, instead of being mindless sheep grazing aimlessly

Most importantly, seek and build a strong relationship with your Creator. Learn what it means to believe. All actions are wasteful if no belief or connection with the Creator (Quran 18:103-105)
If you want guidance and role models, seek them from no one lower than Prophets (or their righteous family & companions). They are the best role models. Study their lives as case studies from different angles

When you die and meet God (and you shall die and meet your Lord), you must be able to say, “Dear Lord, I Tried”

I wish you strength and guidance in this meaningful journey!

Reinspyre