Author: Mohammad Asem Esmailzahi
Capitalism (part 12)
Now we shall outline certain Islamic perspectives on capitalism, and in a concise evaluation, enumerate some of its consequences and proposed remedies. We begin with its individual effects, which form the foundation of its broader social impacts:
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Distraction and Diversion (Alhā)
This theme appears in Surah At-Takāthur, which portrays the condition of those obsessed with accumulation and depicts the harmful consequences of excessive acquisitiveness: “أَلْهَاكُمُ التَّكَاثُرُ ﴿١﴾ حَتَّى زُرْتُمُ الْمَقَابِرَ ﴿٢﴾ كَلَّا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٣﴾ ثُمَّ كَلَّا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ(۴) Translation: “Rivalry in worldly increase distracts you, until you visit the graves. No! You will soon know. Again, no! You will soon know.” [1]
In this noble verse, excessive accumulation and pride in it are described as causes of human distraction. Alhā’ signifies being diverted from the remembrance of God, from submission to divine laws, and being drawn into heedless amusement.
Attachment to profit, capital, and worldly goods produces arrogance and self-centeredness within the human soul, preventing a person from engaging in sound and constructive reflection. “وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُورِ” Translation: “And the life of this world is nothing but a deceptive enjoyment.” [2]
“إِنَّمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَأَوْلَادُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ” Translation: “Indeed, your wealth and your children are but a trial.”[3]
Wealth and children are described as tests for human beings. Many who possess great wealth fail this test, as excessive riches become a barrier to spiritual success and moral growth. Other Qur’anic expressions—such as mutraf (luxury-corrupted), musrif (extravagant), mustakbir (arrogant), and tahlukah (self-destruction)—likewise convey how excessive accumulation diverts people from truth and moral commitment. Extravagance, arrogance, and rebellion against truth ultimately lead to ruin.
Thus, in such a civilization marked by economic arrogance, individuals become estranged from their true selves and from spiritual elevation. They lose the path of growth and happiness, investing their intellect and vitality in pursuits that do not cultivate the essence of humanity but rather bury it beneath layers of materialism. Although an entire surah is titled At-Takāthur to warn against acquisitive rivalry, throughout the Holy Qur’an there are numerous references cautioning against excessive worldliness and its consequences.
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Diversion from Moral and Human Values
Within a capitalist civil society, certain structural conditions foster non-human traits. Economic arrogance provides fertile ground for moral arrogance and psychological rebellion, just as economic deprivation can lead to moral and intellectual weakness.
Wealth-hoarding and excessive desire cultivate destructive traits such as greed, insatiable avarice, miserliness, selfishness, self-superiority, rebellion, hedonism, indulgence, gluttony, lustfulness, laziness, emotional numbness, and hardness of heart. The primary source of these anti-human qualities lies in excessive accumulation and obsessive wealth-seeking. For this reason, Islamic teachings strongly confront these traits in their critique of capitalism.
Insatiable greed is regarded as one of the pillars of liberal-capitalist ethics. The more wealth and profit are acquired, the more the appetite increases; satisfaction is never reached. This process continues relentlessly, without arriving at a sense of sufficiency.
In material matters, if a person adopts contentment and benefits only to the extent that is necessary and constructive—achieving a balanced and dignified livelihood—then a sense of independence may arise, and destructive excess will be avoided. Otherwise, contentment is never attained.
Indeed, one of the central dilemmas of modern global economics is this unbounded acquisitive nature: whatever possesses monetary value or profit potential must be seized and dominated, without regard to limits—consuming resources endlessly, like a devouring fire.
As the Holy Qur’an describes: “وَجَعَلْتُ لَهُ مَالًا مَمْدُودًا … ثُمَّ يَطْمَعُ أَنْ أَزِيدَ” Translation: “And I granted him abundant wealth … yet he still desires that I should add more.” [4]
Since capitalists are never content and possess an insatiable disposition, they never achieve true independence from desire. Therefore, Islamic teachings confront not only the external social manifestations of capitalism but also its internal psychological and moral foundations.
From the Islamic perspective, the accumulation of wealth is not merely a material, social, or political phenomenon; rather, it is rooted in deeper cultural, intellectual, and educational foundations. Consequently, Islam places considerable emphasis on dismantling the inner spiritual bases of excessive wealth-hoarding, alongside addressing its outward social consequences.
Continues…
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References:
[1] Qur’an, Surah At-Takāthur 102:1–4.
[2] Qur’an, Surah Al-Ḥadīd 57:20.
[3] Qur’an, Surah At-Taghābun 64:15.
[4] Qur’an, Surah Al-Muddaththir 74:12–15.
