THE EFFECT OF THE CORRUPTION OF WESTERN ECONOMICS ON HUMANITY

The Correct Solution

We discussed the crooked nature of the Western economic system in previous articles. We detailed the basis of its system and a number of the branches that it is based upon. We also discussed the ugly shortcomings of this system and the tragedies that have befallen humanity because of it.

In this article we will analyse the straight line next to this crooked line. We will discuss the laws of economics that far surpass those of the man made system; this, of course, is the method of Islam, Allah's (swt) method.

The subject of economics in Islam is a deep, broad discussion, especially the branches of this subject related to solutions regarding actions. However, it would be enough to explain the foundations that this system is built upon, as well as a number of branches related to actions. By this means, we are able to clearly establish the indisputable nature of the straight path. We will demonstrate the perfection and accuracy of this just and correct system.

Before we begin this subject, we would like to draw your attention to two important issues that are not only related to this study, but are also related to all other studies related to the deriving of laws in Islam.

Link between the Aqeedahh of Islam and the Ahkam Shari'ah (Divine Legislation)

If one were to study the Ahkam Shari'ah, regarding actions related to taking care of the affairs of the people, one would see that it is linked to this Aqeedahh, similar to how a building is linked to its foundations. When the Islamic Aqeedahh mentions something as being Haram (prohibited), this thing is not considered as beneficial, accordingly, all the Ahkam regarding actions related to it, will prohibit it. Likewise, when the Islamic Aqeedahh mentions something as being Mubah (permissible), this thing is considered to be beneficial, and all the Ahkam regarding actions related to this Mubah open the doors to it, so that we may seek its benefits.

For example, intoxicants are considered by the Shaari' (Legislator) to be Haram and not beneficial. It is stated in the Qur'an that, "Intoxicants, gambling, Al-Ansaab (stone altars for sacrificing animals for idols) and Al-Azlam (arrows for seeking luck or decisions) are an abomination of Shaytan's handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may succeed" [Al-Ma'idah: 90]. The Ahkam regarding actions in relation to intoxicants are all in accordance with this message. Hence, the Shari'ah prohibited buying, selling or drinking intoxicants, and even carrying it from one place to another.

In addition to the obvious connection between the Ahkam and the Aqeedahh, where these Ahkam never deviate from the Aqeedahh of Islam when giving solutions, we also see that they emanate from the Islamic Aqeedahh alone, and not from any other source. All Ahkam are derived from a verse of the Book of Allah (swt), the sayings of the Messenger of Allah (saw), the Qur'an and Sunnah, the Ijma' As-Sahabah (consensus of the Companions), or correctly applied Qiyas (analogy). The link between the Ahkam and the Aqeedahh, is unique only to the Islamic Shari'ah, as opposed to all the man-made laws, systems and ideologies.

The Capitalist system, as we have seen, has made heroin and marijuana beneficial things, because they consider anything that is wanted and satisfies a desire to be beneficial. The laws regarding these particular actions however made them prohibited by punishing anyone who deals with them or uses them in any way with prison. We can see this same mentality with regards to issues of individual freedom, which emanates from the four freedoms. Here, having sexual relationships with any woman one desires is made permissible, if it is with consent; whereas simultaneously, we see it prohibiting certain individuals (like Presidents) from practicing such relationships. Then, it is considered to be a scandal that is punishable by law. This is all a clear contradiction between the foundations and the laws built upon these foundations, as well as a deviation from the fundamental principles established as the basis for the legislation related to actions in everyday life.

The Deen of Islam is the only correct Deen on Earth

As for the other ideologies and religions, they are all intellectually incorrect, while the Aqeedahh of this Deen is built upon intellect. It is an Aqeedah that convinces human minds generally, since the foundations of this Aqeedah have been proven by the mind. The understanding that behind man, life, and the universe is a Creator who created it from nothing, is an issue built upon the mind, and the issue that the Prophet Muhammad (saw) is a Prophet and Messenger from Allah (swt), is also built on the mind, for it convinces the mind. In addition, the issue that the Qur'an is from Allah (swt), revealed to his Messenger (saw), is also based on the mind, convincing any human mind that is free from domination of one's desires.

In addition to the Aqeedah's convincing of the human mind, is its accordance with the Fitrah (nature) of man. It affirms man's reverence instinct and places in accordance to this the correct solution through acts of worship, which is one of the instinct's features. It also affirms aspects of human nature, whether this may be the instincts or the different organic needs.

This is the complete opposite of the other ideologies, for if we look at the Capitalist creed, we see that it is built upon a compromise between two disputing groups. Originally created as a means to end the dispute between the clergy and the intellectuals, this concept that separated religion from life, never truly convinced the human mind. Unlike Islam, this ideology was a product of the human mind, or many human minds. The human mind, as we all know, is flawed. It is characterised by inadequacy, incompleteness and neediness. Because of this, the one who studies the Capitalist system will see continuous change in its systems, constant adjustment of its laws, and many deviations from its Aqeedah, or from the foundations that this corrupt Aqeedah was built upon.

These two qualities; the quality of linking the laws (Ahkam) to the Aqeedah, never deviating from it, and the correctness of this system, to the exclusion of all other systems, have made the Islamic Aqeedah unlike any other. The Islamic Aqeedah attends to the affairs of mankind in every manner: economically, politically, and socially by achieving justice, security, high standards of living, happiness and tranquillity.

We will demonstrate this practically in the issue of economics; how this Aqeedah issues general concepts, tightly linked to foundations and general guidelines, never deviating from them, emanating from their very core and not from any other source. We will also demonstrate how the practical implementation of these solutions establishes these foundations in society.

We will begin with the thoughts of the correct Aqeedah, which discusses many concepts regarding the economic system. These concepts include:

The subservience of all that is within the universe for mankind

The Qur'an poses the question, "Have you not seen how Allah has made all that is in the earth subservient unto you? And the ships that sail through the sea by His Command? He holds back the heaven from falling on the earth except by His Leave. Verily, Allah is, for mankind, full of kindness, Most Merciful" [ Al-Hajj: 65]. Another verse states, "Allah, it is He who has made the sea subservient unto you, that ships may sail through it by His command, and that you may seek of His bounty, and that you may be thankful. And has made all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth subservient to you; it is all from Him. Verily, in it are signs for people who think deeply" [Al-Jathiyah: 12-13].

Therefore, Allah (swt) has made all that is in the heavens and in the earth subservient to this fortunate man. With it, he must establish worship to Allah (swt) alone. This verse does not favour one man to another in their being granted this subservience; rather, the address in this verse is general for all humanity. Therefore, all people have been addressed to benefit from the materials in this universe, to help him establish worship to Allah (swt), and all have been addressed with this, with no exceptions.

In the Qur'an it is stated, "Oh people. Eat of what is on the earth, lawful and good; and do not follow the footsteps of the Shaytan, for he is to you an avowed enemy" [ Al-Baqarah: 168]. Furthermore, it is mentioned that, "It is He who has made the earth subservient unto you, so walk through its tracts and enjoy the Sustenance of which He provides: And unto Him is the Resurrection" [Al-Mulk: 15].

This concept from the Aqeedah has been linked to the Ahkam regarding actions related to making use of things, and is a basis for it, while the Ahkam regarding actions came to clarify how to benefit from these bounties that are subservient to mankind, and opened all doors for man to proceed in benefiting from these bounties without fear or worry.

Other creeds often place boundaries, restrictions, fables and superstitions, which stand between man and his benefiting from the materials of the universe. For example, Hinduism prohibited its followers from benefiting from cows, as they are considered to be deities to be worshiped besides Allah (swt). In some Christian creeds, the priests prohibited themselves from satisfying their procreation instinct through marriage. There are other creeds, which prohibit travelling over the seas or rivers. Each of these notions is based on false creeds.

The meaning of happiness in life

The meaning of happiness in life for the Muslim comes from his Aqeedah, which established concepts that solve the fundamental question related to man, life, and the universe, linking it spiritually to the Creator. The Islamic Aqeedah perceives happiness spiritually and not materialistically; that is to say, based on physical satisfaction and the concept of gaining the most sensual satisfaction. True happiness in the eyes of the Muslim is gaining the pleasure of Allah (swt). Doing this offers Muslims tranquillity in respect to his fate after death. It resolves his questions regarding himself, the universe and life, and he will know the purpose for which he was created.

Based on this concept, the Muslim becomes happy, even if he lived in the most difficult circumstances: in prison, or oppressed, under torture, or even if he owned nothing in this world except a piece of bread and provisions to cover his Awrah (nakedness). This viewpoint, which emanates from the Aqeedah, has a deep effect on economics and all rulings. The Muslim that carries these concepts will carry them in his mind. He will sacrifice the most valuable things he owns for the sake of Allah (swt), whether material or moral in nature. He will do his utmost for the State, for the Ummah and the individuals. It may be that the story of the brotherhood formed between the Ansaar and the Muhajireen is a fruit of this concept. The Qur'an states, "And they (the Ansaar) give them (the Muhajireen) preference over themselves even though they were in need of that. And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, they are the ones who are successful" [TMQ Al-Hashr: 9]. Hence, the Muslim will limit his behaviour, when gathering wealth and benefits, to the limits of Islam. He will not cheat, steal, or hoard, because the goal, as we have previously stated, is not gathering for the sake of gathering, rather it is for something much greater: the pleasure of Allah (swt).

This perception of happiness, for the Muslim, is the complete opposite of the Western viewpoint. Their perception is reflected in their economic lifestyle. As a result, their lives have become an unbearable torment. We see no bonds between them other than that which is based upon personal interests; we see some of them running to escape from offering any help, or running to escape debt until it has been taken away from him by force, through the law. This has also been reflected on other nations, due to the colonialist policies that emanate from these miserable concepts. This will continue until oppression and corruption, spread all over the earth at the hands of the West, where the concept of struggling for a piece of bread has become: "Either I eat it, or you eat it," and not where people share the bread between them. To say to them that, "Both you and I will eat it," as is the case in the view of Islam, whose concepts emanate from a correct creed, would be unheard of.

The concept of Thawab (reward) and 'Iqaab (punishment), and the Afterlife

We have seen in the Western system that actions are guided by interests and benefits, and that the state guards the interests of the people, implementing laws by means of law enforcement. Inner conscience does not exist with them, nor does monitoring one's self, because these are spiritual concepts that have no place in their lives. To them, acts of worship belong only inside the church. This, in turn, affects their economic and personal lives.

As for Islam, the drive and the monitor over all transactions is linked to the Hereafter and the concept of Thawab and 'Iqaab, i.e. to the elevated spiritual aspect, and not to the lowly, materialistic, man-made aspect. The Muslim gives to others, and gives generously, due to the drive of Taqwa (fear of Allah (swt)) and seeking the reward in the Hereafter. He pays Zakat happily, due to the Divine orders, "…and those who pay the Zakat" [TMQ Al-Mu'minun: 4]. He does not steal, due to the Taqwa of Allah (swt). After all, does the Qur'an not tell us, "And (as for) the thief, the male and female, cut off their (right) hands" [TMQ Al-Ma'idah: 38]. According to the Hadith of the Messenger (saw), "The money of a Muslim is not lawful (to take), except with his pleasure (permission)" [Narrated by Ahmad]. Nor does the Muslim cheat, due to the saying of the Messenger (saw), "Whosoever cheats, is not one of us" [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi]. Nor does he hoard, for, "The one who hoards (by keeping products hidden until their prices rise) is cursed (Mal'un), and the one who seeks sustenance (by buying and selling at easy, low prices) is prosperous (Marzuq)" [Narrated by Ibn Majah].

Western society, as we have mentioned, has been deprived of all this, due to the corrupted concepts that are built upon a materialistic perception, and linked to the mechanism of pricing, the main incentive for production and the sole organiser for distribution. Hence, there is only a meagre existence of charities or assistance for the poor and the needy, since this will cause a decrease in money, and therefore it would diminish their happiness.

The concept of Rizq (sustenance)

Allah (swt) has informed the Muslim in his Aqeedah that the amount of Rizq he is to receive was predetermined before he was born. It does not increase or decrease, and nor will man die until he completes what was predetermined for him. One Ayah of the Glorious Qur'an states, "And there is not a moving (living) creature in the earth but its Rizq is due from Allah. He knows its dwelling place and its deposit (in the uterus or the grave). All is in a clear record" [ Hud: 6]. Another verse explains, "Verily, Allah is Al-Razzaq (the One who provides sustenance), Owner of Power, the Most Strong" [TMQ Al-Thaariyat: 58]. The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: "The Ruh Al-Qudus (Jibreel) has inspired (to me) that no soul shall exit the world, unless it completes its Ajal (predefined decree for life) and uses up its Rizq, so seek (what is in this world) in a beautiful manner" [Al-Tabarani].

This concept from the Aqeedah has a relation to the issue of economics. For Allah (swt) has informed mankind that He (swt) created all that is necessary for mankind to continue to live, and that whatever He (swt) has created upon this earth of resources and wealth will definitely meet all the basic needs of the people, and more. If we were to study the reality of this, we would indeed see how we utilise very little of the total resources available, and what is hidden is far greater.

As for what occurs of mass deaths due to famines in Sudan, Somalia and other countries, this is caused by the greed of the West and its political interventions and colonisation, not a lack of resources. For if man were left to manage his own affairs, he would find his Rizq like the birds and animals do. Famine would never occur.

As for what the Westerners claim of there being a lack of resources to satisfy man's different and numerous needs and desires, this has no reality. This notion is only fuelled by corrupt concepts which produce an image of mans needs, perceiving them to be without bounds. This exaggerated fear comes from the practice of hoarding(not spending) wealth. It is a result of Capitalistic greed and its perverted and unjust class system.