By S. Arshad, New Age Islam
11June 2018
The holy Quran has laid down principles for
every sphere of social life. It has enjoined on the human beings to live a just
and fair life giving the human beings their fare share of wealth and other
provisions. Since economic aspect of the society is the most aspect of human
life, the Quran has laid down a number of economic principles for an Islamic
society which if followed will lead to a society based on justice, equality and
economic prosperity.
First of all, it should be noted that all
the evils of society emanate from corruption, selfishness and a hankering after
money and wealth. Therefore, to root out corruption and inequality in the
society, the Quran enjoins on man not to be selfish and not to violate the
rights of others; to give the poor and the destitute, the orphan their due. We
find the following guiding principles in the Quran that can be the basis of a
just Islamic society.
Charity
During the pre-Islam period, people would
consider giving alms and charity to the poor a vain practice. It was heavy on
their conscience to party with their earnings and wealth to the poor and the
destitute though the previous revealed books also enjoined their followers to
give alms and to help the poor and the need in times of need. Instead, they
would seek an opportunity to devour the wealth and property of others by
various means. The Quran told people that the poor and the destitute needed
care and sympathy because they were the creation of Allah and the rich and the
prosperous had the duty to help them. Therefore, the Quran encouraged Muslims
to give charity and alms to the poor:
“O ye who
believe! cancel not your charity by reminders of your generosity or by injury”
(Al Baqarah; 264)
“And whatever
ye spend in charity or devotion, be sure Allah knows it all”. (Al Baqarah: 270)
“If ye
disclose (acts of) charity, even so it is well, but if ye conceal them, and
make them reach those (really) in need, that is best for you: It will remove
from you some of your (stains of) evil”. (Al
Baqarah: 271)
(Charity is)
for those in need, who, in Allah's cause are restricted (from travel), and
cannot move about in the land, seeking (For trade or work): the ignorant man
thinks, because of their modesty, that they are free from want. Thou shalt know
them by their (Unfailing) mark: They beg not importunately from all the sundry. (Al Baqarah: 273)
Thus, charity has been declared as the
means of purifying the soul and gaining salvation in the Hereafter. Charity and
alms develops among men a feeling of camaraderie and fellow-feeling and
strengthens the bond between human beings creating a well-nit society.
Miserliness
Miserliness is another evil of the society
that is a hindrance to the development of society because it prevents men from
spending their money and wealth on just causes of the society. Miserly men
covet their wealth and money and save it till they die without benefitting the
society. God says that He has given wealth and money to people to spend on
right and jut causes after what is left from after they have met their own
needs. Quran warns such people with a heavy torment in the Hereafter and
declares such men condemned to go to Hell.
“And let not
those who covetously withhold of the gifts which Allah Hath given them of His
Grace, think that it is good for them: Nay, it will be the worse for them: soon
shall the things which they covetously withheld be tied to their necks Like a
twisted collar, on the Day of Judgment.”( Al e
Imran:180)
“(Nor) those
who are niggardly or enjoin niggardliness on others, or hide the bounties which
Allah hath bestowed on them; for We have prepared, for those who resist Faith,
a punishment that steeps them in contempt;”- (Al
Nisa; 37)
“The
Hypocrites, men and women, (have an understanding) with each other: They enjoin
evil, and forbid what is just, and are close with their hands.” (Tauba; 67)
The verse of Surah Al Tauba also hints that
miserliness is the attribute of the hypocrites. And a hypocrite is a person who
is not a Muslim at heart but only feigns to be one.
Lavish Expenditure or Wastage
The Quran also lashes out at those who
waste food, money and other natural resources. Food, water and money should not
be wasted as they invite economic troubles for the nation and the community.
“But waste
not by excess: for Allah loveth not the wasters”. (Al Anam: 141)
“Eat and
drink: But waste not by excess, for Allah loveth not the wasters.” (Al Araf;
31)
Zakat
Zakat is the means of distribution of
wealth in the society to bring economic equality in the society. In Islam a
portion of the income of the rich people is ordained to be distributed among
the unprivileged section so that they become prosperous and the gulf between
the rich and the poor is minimized. Zakat was also ordained in Torah and other
religious communities but they gradually left the practice because they did not
like to part with their hard earned money to the poor. Instead the promoted the
practice of riba (interest) to take away the money and property of the people
to become rich. The Quran revives the practice of Zakat to bring economic
equality in the society.
“But My mercy
extendeth to all things. That (mercy) I shall ordain for those who do right,
and practice regular charity, and those who believe in Our signs;”- (Al Araf:
156)
“And be
steadfast in prayer; practice regular charity;” (Al Baqarah: 43)
“And be
steadfast in prayer and regular in charity:” (Al Baqarah: 110)
“Allah has
bestowed His gifts of sustenance more freely on some of you than on others:
those more favoured are not going to throw back their gifts to those whom their
right hands possess, so as to be equal in that respect. Will they then deny the
favours of Allah?” (Al Nahl: 71)
The Quran condemns the practice of taking
and giving Riba declaring it a heinous sin as it violates the economic
rights of people.
Interest (Riba)
“That they
took usury, though they were forbidden; and that they devoured men's substance
wrongfully;- we have prepared for those among them who reject faith a grievous
punishment”. ( Al Nisa: 161)
“O ye who
believe! Devour not usury, doubled and multiplied; but fear Allah; that ye may
(really) prosper”. (Al Imran: 130)
Corruption
Corruption is one of the evils of every
society. It existed in the ancient society and exists in the modern society
too. Corruption is misappropriation of funds and resources meant for the masses
by individuals, rulers or a group of powerful people. Quran also condemns
corruption and those who practice it and enjoins on Muslims not to indulge in
corruption. Quran asks Muslims not to take away the property of the orphans or
weak people and not to substitute mean quality ingredients for good ones and
not to devour things meant for the orphans and the poor. Quran also discourages
hording of wealth and good depriving the people of their share in it.
“To orphans
restore their property (When they reach their age), nor substitute (your)
worthless things for (their) good ones; and devour not their substance (by
mixing it up) with your own. For this is indeed a great sin”. (Al Nisa: 2)
“Those who
unjustly eat up the property of orphans, eat up a Fire into their own bodies” Al Nisa: 10)?
Hording
“O ye who
believe! there are indeed many among the priests and anchorites, who in
Falsehood devour the substance of men and hinder (them) from the way of Allah.
And there are those who bury gold and silver and spend it not in the way of
Allah: announce unto them a most grievous penalty”-
(Tauba: 34)
The Quran is against all the corrupt and
unjust practices that are a hindrance to the development of the society on just
and fair basis. These corrupt practices also cause moral and ethical
degradation of people making them selfish and oblivious to the misery and
economic problems of their neighbourhood. That’s why the Quran has specifically
laid down economic principles for an ideal Islamic society.
New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in
Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia
in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women
and Feminism
6:08 PM
Moderate Islamist here
0 comments:
Post a Comment