(24) Economic Regulations

OUTLINE OF CHAPTER
Economic and social changes in Mecca: Arrogant idea of man’s self-sufficiency, compassionate capitalism.
God is the source of all riches: Everything owes its existence and sustenance to God alone, parable of the rich and poor man, God grants abundance on some and scant on others, why God does not grant abundant sustenance upon all righteous, man’s possessions are trust from God.
Wealth as a trial for man’s character: exulting in prosperity and hopelessness during misfortune. Getting rich at any cost: Greed for more and more (At-Takathur, 102), material success at the expense of morality, material prosperity at the expense of righteousness, striving for worldly rewards at the expense of afterlife. Niggardly behavior: Niggardly behavior among hypocrites, self-conceit, boastful and niggardliness, let your God feed the hungry, denying assistance to needy (Al-Maun, 107), the parable of good and bad harvest, devouring other’s possessions a mortal sin. Consequences in afterlife: hung around their neck on resurrection day, punishment for niggardliness and reward for charity in afterlife, Al-Humazah (the slanderer, 104).
Earning through honest means: give full measure and weight, giving short measure, usury (riba), written transaction for credit.
Charity and distribution of wealth: Zakah or obligatory tax, sadaqah, two cardinal demands: God’s oneness and charity, true piety and charity, prayer and charity, sacrifice only a small portion of your possessions, charity verses squandering, charity and forgiveness of sins, charity for near of kin, needy and wayfarer, charity and dealing with orphans, spending in God’s way (parable of sprouting grain), avoid hurting feelings of needy (parable of smooth rock), parable of garden with fertile ground, satan threaten you with poverty, charity in secret better, giving charity to non-Muslims, charity for those devoted entirely to faith, mutual charity, compassion and good-fellowship, care for the needy and handicapped, offer charity when consulting prophet’s teaching, giving charity for sake of self-glory, distribution of charity (eight categories), righteousness through charity.
Laws of inheritance: Bequests to deserving members of family, children’s shares, shares of parents, shares of spouses, shares for brothers and sisters. Differences in interpretation of laws of inheritance.
 
 
 
 
 
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