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The purpose of the distribution of wealth in Islam
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The Distribution of the Wealth is one of the most important and most controversial subjects concerning the economic life of man. Which have given birth to global revolutions in the world of today, and have effected every sphere of human activity from international politics down to the private life of the individual. For many a century now, the question has been the centre not only of fervent debates, oral and written both, but even of armed conflicts. The fact, however, is that whatever has been said on the subject without seeking guidance form Divine Revelation and relying merely on human reason, has had the sole and inevitable result of making the confusion worse confounded.
Before understanding the objects of the distribution of wealth such as we have been able to understand from the Quran, the Sunnah and the Fiqh, we must know about the real nature of wealth and property and certain |
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fundamentals which have an essential and basic importance with regard to almost every aspect of Islamic economics. They are certain basic principles which one can derive from the Quran, and which distinguish the Islamic point of view in economics from non-Islamic systems of economy. Islam views the economic activities of man as quite lawful, meritorious, and some-times even obligatory and necessary. It approves the economic progress of man.
If we consider the injunctions of the Holy Quran, it would appear that the system for the distribution of wealth laid down by Islam visualizes three purposes:-
a, The establishment of a practicable system of economy:-
The first purpose of the distribution of wealth is that it would be the means of establishing in the world a system of economy which is natural and practicable, and which, without using any compulsion or force, allows every individual to function in a normal way according to his ability, his aptitude, his own choice and liking, so that his activities may be more fruitful, healthy and useful. And this cannot be secured without a healthy relationship between the employer and the employee, and without the proper utilization of the natural force of supply and demand. That is why Islam does admit these factors. A comprehensive indication of this principle is to be found in the following verses:-
"We have distributed their livelihood among them in worldly life, and have raised some above others in the matter of social degrees, so that some of them may utilize the service of others in their work."
b, Enabling every one to get what is rightfully due to him:-
The second purpose of the Islamic system of the distribution of wealth is to enable every one to get what is rightfully his. But, in Islam, the conception and the criterion of this right is somewhat different from what it is in other systems of economy. Under materialistic economic systems, there is only one way of acquiring the right to "wealth" and that is a direct participation in the process of production. In other words:
Only those factors that have taken a direct part in producing wealth are supposed to be entitled to a share "wealth", and no one else. On the contrary, the basic principle of Islam in this respect is that "wealth" is in principle the property of Allah Himself and He alone can lay down the rules as to how it is to be used. So, according to the Islamic point of view, not only those who have directly participated in the production of wealth but those too whom Allah has made it obligatory upon others to help, are the legitimate sharers in wealth. Hence, the poor, the help y, the pampers and the destitute - they too have a right up "wealth". For, Allah has made it obligatory on all those producers of wealth among whom wealth in the first place distributed that they should pass in to them some part of their wealth. And the Holy Quran makes it quite explicit that in doing so they would not be obliging the poor and the need in any way, but only discharging their obligation, for the poor and the needy are entitled to a share in wealth as a matter of rights. Say the Holy Quran:
"In their wealth there is a known right for those who ask for it and those who have need for it."(70:24-25)
In certain verses, this right has been defined as the right of Allah. For example, this verse in connection with harvests:
"and pay what is rightfully due to Him on the day of harvesting".6:141)
The word right in these two verses makes it clear that participation in the process of production is not the only source of the right to "wealth", and that the need and the poor have as good a right to "wealth" as its primary owners. Thus Islam proposes to distribute wealth in such a manner that all those who have taken a part in production should receive the reward for their contribution to the production of wealth, and then all those too should receive their share whom Allah has given a right to "wealth".
c, Eradicating the concentration of wealth:
The third purpose of the distribution of wealth, which Islam considers, to be very important, is that wealth, instead of becoming concentrated in a few hands, should be allowed to circulate in the society as widely as possible, so that the distinction between the rich and the poor should be narrowed down as far as is natural and practicable. The attitude of Islam in this respect is that is has not permitted any individual of group to have a monopoly over the primary sources of wealth, but has given every member of the society equal right to derive benefit from them. Mines, forests, un owned barren lands, hunting and fishing, wild grass, rivers, seas, spoils of war etc. all these are primary sources of wealth. With respect to them, every individual is entitled to make use of them according to his abilities and his labor without any one being allowed to have any kind of monopoly over them.
"So that this wealth should become confident only to the rich amongst you".(1) (59:7)
Beyond this, wherever human intervention is needed for the production of wealth and a man produces some kind of wealth by deploying his resources and labor, Islam gives due consideration to the resources and thus deployed, and recognizes that man's right of property in the wealth produced. Every one shall get his share according to the labour and resources invested by him. Says the Holy Quran.
"We have distributed their livelihood among them in worldly life, and have raised some above others in the matter of social degrees, so that some of them may utilize the service of others in their work". (43:32)
But, in spite of this difference among social degrees or ranks certain injunctions have been laid down in order to keep this distinction within such limits are necessary for the establishment of a practicable system of economy, so that wealth should not become concentrated in a few hands. Of these three objects of the distribution of wealth, the first distinguishes Islamic economy from socialism, the third from capitalism, and the second from both at the same time. |
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