Islam is a universal religion of compassion which believes in the
welfare of mankind. It not only aims at the spiritual wellbeing of man but also
at its economic and material interests. Its economic and material function
includes providing the basic necessities for people and creating social fairness
while its spiritual function include establishing Islamic way of life for
Muslim and absolute religious liberty for non-Muslims.
In as much as Islam accepts the fundamental principle of market economy,
such as ownership right, business freedom and competition, their effort in
lessening the anguish and exploitation of people have been futile.
Islam is hinged on shari’ah which is law and customs that deals with all
aspect of human life and activities. The aim of Shari'ah is to promote welfare
of the people by safeguarding, promoting and enriching their faith, protecting
human life, intellect, wealth and posterity. The fact that the Qur’an stressed
equally Zakat and Salat also significantly reiterates the importance of welfare
in Islam.
Welfare in Islam seeks to achieve 2 goals which are to fight poverty and
provide for a just and equitable sharing of riches. In as much as poverty
cannot be 100% abolished, it can be minimized to the barest minimum through wealth
redistribution. It encompasses economic growth, mental peace as well as social
accord.
In easing the sufferings of the poor, Muslims have a fundamental task in
improving the welfare of the masses. While some are voluntary, majority are
obligatory. The responsibilities of individual in an Islamic economy include:
ZAKAT
The redistribution of wealth from areas of surplus (the wealthy) to
areas of shortage (the poor) is a way Islam helps alleviate the suffering of
the poor. Zakat has been made obligatory on all Muslims who possess wealth over
a certain limit. This can be found in the following verse of the Qur’an:
O you who
believe, you shall give to charity from the provisions we have given to you,
before a day comes where there is no trade, no nepotism, and no intercession.
The disbelievers are the unjust.
[2:254]
Zakat is not a charity but the right of the poor, needy, disabled,
wayfarer, e.t.c. It is to prevent the hoarding of riches and ensure the
accurate redeployment of wealth to those in need.
RESPONSIBILITY
TOWARDS FAMILY
It is obligatory on a Muslim to take care of his family. These include
his nuclear family and his needy parents. He should ensure that the wife is
adequately taken care of irrespective of her wealth. Also, it is mandatory for a
wealthy person within a family to take care of the incapacitated poor man
within the family who is incapable of making a living.
CHARITY
Islam obligates the extension of assistance to the poor, orphans and the
wayfarer. The importance of charity is emphasized in the following verse of the
Qur’an:
They ask
you about giving: say, "The charity you give shall go to the parents, the
relatives, the orphans, the poor, and the traveling alien." Any good you
do, God is fully aware thereof."
[2:215]
This helps to promote love and reduce crime rate within the society.
PRODUCING OVER ONE’S NEED
Human beings are encouraged to produce more than the requirement of
himself and his immediate family in order to share with people that are in
poverty. Suffice to say that men are not created with equal intellectual and
economic capabilities. Therefore, those that are fortunate to have what it
takes to produce should do so in large quantities so these can be redistributed
to the less fortunate.
PROHIBITION OF RIBA
The prohibition of riba will reduce the accumulation of debt and the
disastrous consequences interest can have on the lives of people. In addition, the prohibition of gharar
(excessive uncertainty), qimar (gambling) and maysir (unearned income) all work
towards the reduction of economic burden on individuals.
EQUITY AND JUSTICE IN
BUSINESS DEALING
Islam has enjoined us to deal justly with each other in business and
other transactions. The purpose is to
productive business dealings between the parties involved and to eliminate
misunderstanding and cheating of any sort.
WAQF – CHARITABLE
TRUST
Although not obligatory, Islam has encouraged us to institutionalize
charity by transferring wealth from individuals/private ownership to beneficial
social, collective ownership. The wealth transferred include both movable and
immovable property and once pledged is binding.
These charitable trusts have been practiced since the time of the Prophet
and have brought remarkable changes in the welfare of the underprivileged. A
non-Muslim can also benefit from the trust provided the purpose is compatible
with Islam.
Reference:
1.
Zia A., (2011). Objective of Sharia and Concept
Welfare.
2.
Dr. Chaudhry M.S. (MA, LLB, PhD). Fundamentals of
Islamic Economic System.
3.
S.M. Hasanuz Zaman. Chief, Islamic Economic
Division, State Bank of Pakistan
4.
Zapalska A., Dallas B., Steve S., (2005). Economic
System of Islam and Its Effect on Growth and Development of Entrepreneurship.
No comments:
Post a Comment