Author: Abu Raef
Colonialism (7th part)
4- Social justice:
Islam has addressed social justice from the two perspectives of “General solidarity” and “Social balance” and encourages Muslims to help their Muslim brother. For these important matters, Islam has presented topics such as charity, Alms, donation, tithe, qasama, expiation, etc.
Dr. “Abdullah bin Abdul Mohsen al-Tariqi” writes: “In order to support people who do not have the ability to earn money, social solidarity and individual balance have been legalized in Islam, so that the crushing contradictions of the subsistence level disappear; In this sense, inheritance has been made legitimate to distribute wealth, zakat has been made legitimate, and it has become necessary for the leader of the faithful to eliminate the needs of the poor.
Also, Islam has considered it necessary to determine an amount from the treasury that supports the poor, and it has forbidden extravagance and fun in order to equalize the level of livelihood among people and achieve social balance.
It is also required for wealthy relatives to spend on their poor relatives. Also, penances, gifts, alms, loans, parties, sacrifices and aqeeqah, and various types of blessings have been made legal to oblige a Muslim to be generous with his wealth.
5- Economic freedom within clear limits:
Islam has left the economy and earning a living free, and every person can accumulate wealth, but this work is within a specific and limited limit, and people cannot resort to any tricks and tools to accumulate wealth.
For this reason, Islam has prohibited Usury, Gambling, Cheating, Hoarding, Speculation, etc. Islam has forbidden many transactions due to the fact that they contain arrogance and deception, and it emphasizes on accumulating wealth with honesty.
Dr. “Abdul Rahman Habanka Al Maidani” writes about economic freedom from the point of view of Islam and its limitations:
“But the freedom of action in these (economic) fields is bound by Islamic restrictions, the purpose of which is to prohibit any kind of harm and oppression and encroachment on the rights of others, whether they are individuals or groups, the prohibition of anything that harms the policy of the Islamic State and or insults its forces and leadership, as well as prohibiting anything that encourages opposition to any of the principles of Islam or a ruling of Islam that is mandatory to follow or leave.”
These prohibitions can be summarized in four cases:
1- Prohibition of harming people or violating their rights, this harm includes harm to self, body, mind, property and reputation.
2- Prohibition of freedom of action in anything that causes harm to the society or violates one of the public rights, and this harm includes things that harm the unity of Muslims or violate their interests or their public rights.
3- Prohibition of freedom of action regarding what causes harm to the Islamic State or encroachment on any of its rights, these harms include political, administrative, financial, military, etc.
4- Prohibition of freedom of action in anything that causes damage and disruption to one of the Islamic principles belonging to beliefs or laws. This aggression and harm are done by outward or covert means.
6- Moderation:
Fighting extreme economic inequalities and ensuring individual and social justice is one of the key issues of the Islamic economic system. Considering the practical difference and human abilities and talents and observing the principle of redistribution (zakat, sadaqa, etc.) are among the most important advantages of Islamic economy.
Almighty Allah has listened to this matter and says: «کیلا یکون دولة بین الأغنیاء منکم وما آتاکم الرسول فخذوه ومانهاکم عنه فانتهوا إن الله شدید العقاب». (This is so that the wealth does not change hands only among your rich people and the needy people are not deprived of it. Implement the things that the Prophet of Allah brought to you from the divine commandments and give up the things that he prevented you from doing, by Allah Fear that Allah has a severe punishment.)
7- balance in expenses:
Balance is clearly evident in various aspects of Muslim behavior, and Islamic sources, including the Quran and the Sunnah, have outlined it, such as: moderation, avoidance of extravagance, and extreme miserliness. Even in some times those who spend a lot of money in alms, despite the fact that sometimes they do not give alms to forbidden property, they have been called “safia”.
