Economic Self-sufficiency
Islam has a moderate view towards freedom. According to Islamic principles, freedom is not the ultimate purpose and value. It is means for man to consciously move towards ultimate perfection because of his own accord. Based on Islamic view, the real freedom can only be achieved through godliness and freedom from the clutches of selfishness and lust. Selfishness and submission to the demands of the carnal soul are the main obstacle to true freedom.
Therefore the Islamic government is obliged to reform society, eradicate poverty and uproot the causes of the hungers of one group and gluttony of others. Thirdly, the Islamic government is obliged to punish those who have encroached upon public assets of Muslims and take back Bayt al-Mal back. During early days of his rule, Imam Ali said the main plans of his government was to justly distribute Bayt al-Mal, return assets that had been unjustly confiscated and alleviate the hunger of poor people.[1]
He advised his appointed governors, including governor of Egypt Malik Al-Ashtar, to reform and develops the land under their rule. [2]
Economy has social dimensions and significant political consequences at the international level. Having a prosperous economy is imperative for the glory and independence of Islamic lands and defending them; because the enemies of Islam always use the leverage of economy to dominate Muslim countries and by doing so prevent the Islamic government from resisting their domination and infiltrate the society. Islam regards material world as a tool. Material tools are means for directing life towards perfection which is the servitude to God.
Therefore, Islam is not opposed to working, increasing production and reducing dependence on others, it is opposed to prioritizing the material world. Islam censures a material world and distracts people from the hereafter and God, remembering whom is the condition of achieving the ultimate perfection and embracing the truth, not a world that is the prelude and a farm that is harvested in the Hereafter.
Notes:
[1] . Nahj al-Balagha, sermon 15
[2] . Nahj al-Balagha, letter 53
Ahmad Niazi, graduate of Qom Seminary and Phd student of Al Mustafa international university
Source: Political science journal, No. 3
Translated by: Sadroddin Musawi
Other links:
Imam Ali’s Words about Government’s Justice
Does End Justifies the Means?
