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should not spend in the cause of God? For to God belongs the heritage of the heavens
and the earth (57:5, 7, 10)
Unlike Communism, Islam replaces the totalitarian artificial supremacy of the
Communist State by the beneficial supremacy of God; and the Communist theory of
class warfare by sound morals, mutual responsibilities and cooperation. On the other
hand, it gives utmost assurances against greedy capitalism and ruthless exploitation by
proprietors. The economic system of Islam grants full recognition of the
“ independent” entity of the individual and his natural aspirations to work and
possessions. Yet it does not conceive of him as absolutely independent of God or the
universe. It does not deify man or his capital, nor does it deify the proletariat and
abolish free enterprise. It accepts man the way he is created and deals with him
accordingly, making allowances for his instinctive aspirations and limited power. Man
is a man, and he should be accepted and dealt with as such. He is not a god or a semi-
god to arrogate to himself absolute powers and unquestionable infallibility. Nor is he
countless or insignificant entity. He is someone to be recognized but in his real status
and nonexaggerated or belittled nature. He is not above or out of the rest of the
universe but a part of a whole system, an element in the total foundation of the
universe
Although man is encouraged to work, is free to enterprise, is entitled to earn and
posses, the fact that he is a mere trustee provides the necessary measure to insure
proper handling of his possessions, his trusts. He has authority to earn, to invest and to
spend. Yet in so doing he is guided by high principles to save him from going astray.
An example may be sufficient to illustrate the point. Proprietors are not unreservedly
free to spend their money or handle their properties the way they please. There are
certain rules of expenditure to be followed. In the words of Qur’ an, God enjoins upon
the proprietor to fulfill his financial obligations towards his fellow men, and to be
moderate in his private spending. He is always reminded of the fact that God is the
Real Provider and Actual Possessor. Here is the declaration of the Qur’ an:
And render to the kindred their due rights, as (also) to those in want, and to the
wayfarer. But squander not (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift. Verily,
spendthrifts are brothers of the Evil Ones, and the Evil One is to his Lord (Himself)
ungrateful
Make not your hand tied (like a niggard’ s) to your neck, nor stretch it forth to its
utmost reach (like a foolish spendthrift); lest you become rebuked and destitute.
Verily your Lord does provide sustenance in abundance for whom He pleases, and He
provides in a just measure. For He does know and regard all His servants (17:26-27,
29-30).
The Political Life
Like the social and economic life, the political life of Islam is based on sound spiritual
and moral foundations, and is guided by Divine instructions. The political system of
Islam is unique in its structure, its function, and its purpose. It is not pragmatic or
instrumentalistic. It is not theocracy whereby a certain class of people assumes divine
rights, hereditary or otherwise, and poses above other citizens, beyond accountability.
Nor is it a proletariat whereby some revengeful laborers capture power. It is not even
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