Author: Abdul Hameed Nowrozi
Economy and its Role in Islam (part Three)
The Relationship Between Economy and Other Sciences
Economics is one of the fields of social science that is related to many branches of other disciplines. It is connected with sociology, psychology, anthropology, and especially with political science and government administration. Investigating culture, habits, and customs, as well as predicting people’s behavior under specific social conditions, has significant importance in economic studies. Today, many scientists believe that culture and social values are the most effective factors in the progress or backwardness of economic development in different societies and nations.
Islamic Economy from the Perspective of the Quran and Sunnah
By considering the teachings and economic rulings of Islam, we arrive at the conclusion that Islam acknowledges the capabilities of the market and the principles of supply and demand, supporting their use in addressing economic problems. As God Almighty says in the Holy Qur’an: «نحْنُ قَسَمْنَا بَيْنَهُمْ مَعِيشَتَهُمْ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَرَفَعْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ دَرَجَاتٍ لِيَتَّخِذَ بَعْضُهُمْ بَعْضًا سُخْرِيًّا وَرَحْمَتُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ مِمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ» “We have divided their [means of] sustenance among them in the life of this world, and we have placed some of them in higher ranks than others, so that some of them may serve others. The mercy of the Lord is better than what they accumulate.”
It is clear that hiring someone else involves the employer, the “worker applicant,” and the worker as the “supplier of work.” With the coordination of these two forces (supply and demand), a balanced economy will be created.
The Holy Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, also says in this regard: “Leave the people free so that God will provide sustenance for some of them through others.”
Legitimacy of Work from the Perspective of Verses and Sunnah
Almighty Allah says: «فَإِذَا قُضِيَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَانْتَشِرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَابْتَغُوا مِنْ فَضْلِ اللَّهِ» “When the prayer is done, disperse on the ground and seek God’s sustenance.”
In another place, it states: «وَعَلَّمْنَاهُ صَنْعَةَ لَبُوسٍ لَكُمْ لِتُحْصِنَكُمْ مِّن بَأْسِكُمْ فَهَلْ أَنْتُمْ شَاكِرُونَ» “And We taught him to make armor to protect you in wars. So do you give thanks?”
Argument from this Verse: Almighty Allah taught His Prophet Dawood (peace be upon him) to make armor, which is used to fight and protect against enemies during wars. When Allah made it lawful for His Prophet to create war tools, it signifies that constructing anything that provides protection against enemies is both necessary and legitimate.
Allah (S.W.T) says: «وَأَعِدُّوا لَهُمْ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ مِنْ قُوَّةٍ وَمِنْ رِبَاطِ الْخَيْلِ تُرْهِبُونَ بِهِ عَدُوَّ اللَّهِ وَعَدُوَّكُمْ وَآخَرِينَ مِنْ دُونِهِمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَهُمُ اللَّهُ يَعْلَمُهُمْ وَمَا تُنْفِقُوا مِنْ شَيْءٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ يُوَفَّ إِلَيْكُمْ وَأَنْتُمْ لَا تُظْلَمُونَ» “And prepare as much (material and spiritual) strength and (including) trained horses for (fighting) them as you can, so that you frighten the enemy of Allah and your enemy; and scare others whom you do not know but Allah knows. Whatever you spend in the way of Allah (including war equipment to strengthen the Islamic defense), you will be fully rewarded for it, and you will not experience any oppression.”
Argument from this Verse: Muslims are tasked by Allah Almighty to utilize their utmost strength and ability to instill fear in the hearts of disbelievers and polytheists, and by demonstrating their power, they can also create apprehension among opportunistic hypocrites. Muslims should be encouraged to spend in the way of Allah because such spending is enduring and never wasted.
To prepare strength and power, having sustenance is very important, and sustenance is unattainable without work. Without work, there will be neither money nor strength for an individual.
Allah the Almighty says: «يَعْمَلُونَ لَهُ مَا يَشَاءُ مِنْ مَحَارِيبَ وَتَمَاثِيلَ وَجِفَانٍ كَالْجَوابِ وَقُدُورٍ رَاسِيَاتٍ اعْمَلُوا آلَ دَاوُدَ شُكْرًا وَقَلِيلٌ مِنْ عِبَادِيَ الشَّكُورُ» “They made whatever Sulaiman wanted for him, such as huge shrines, statues, large eating containers like basins, and fixed pots (the size of which was indescribable). We said to the family of Dawood: O family of Dawood! Be grateful (for all these blessings), and (know that) few of My servants are grateful.”
Argument from this Verse: Almighty God entrusted Sulaiman with employing jinn in works such as architecture and industrial tasks, which implies the legitimacy of work for humans.
The Holy Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, also addresses the legitimacy of work: “An honest and trustworthy merchant will be with the prophets, the righteous, and the martyrs on the Day of Resurrection.”
Additionally, in another hadith, he states: “No one has ever consumed food better than the food earned by his own hands, and indeed Dawood, the Prophet of Allah, peace be upon him, always ate from his own earnings.”
Argument from this Hadith: The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, praised work that is accomplished by human hands, indicating that such work is among the best forms of earning. The fact that Dawood, the Prophet of Allah, consumed from the fruits of his labor serves as a profound encouragement for engaging in trade and work.
Islam’s View on Worldly Wealth and Its Attention
In the religion of Islam, worldly wealth and possessions are commendable if attained through legitimate means to draw closer to Allah. However, if wealth becomes the goal and is acquired through unlawful methods or leads people to forget divine remembrance and their spiritual life, it is deemed reprehensible. The verses of the Quran refer to this theme (Kahf: 46; Noah: 12; Hud: 61; Nahl: 14-8; Malik: 15). It is also stated in verse 77 of Surah Al-Qasas: “Do not forget your share of (lawful pleasures and blessings) in this world!”
How beautifully the poet expresses:
“If you use your money for religion, it is the blessing of righteous wealth, as the Messenger called it.
The water in the ship is the wreck of the ship. It saves the ship if it is beneath it.”
Disadvantages of Neglecting Work in the Islamic Economy
Neglecting work has dire and extensive consequences for Islamic religion, society, and the economy, including:
A. Disruption of Religion and Belief: Quitting work leads to poverty, and one of the negative effects of poverty on a person’s faith is that it can drive them to lie and make false promises.
B. The Increased Supremacy of the Enemies of Islam against the Islamic Economy.
C. A Rise in Crime Among Muslims.
D. Physical Weakness and Degradation of the Spirituality of Muslims.
Continues…
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