Foreword by Abdelhadi Boutaleb
One of the major manifestations of the current
revival of the Islamic world has been the emergence of a scientific movement
which advocates the return to the sources of the Islamic thought in an
attempt to derive the substance which will help devise a new approach to
all aspects and applications of mental life and intellectual endeavor.
The aim is not only to tackle the problems of today’s society in the light
of Islamic values and prescriptions but also to open up new prospects by
breaking the current monopoly of the Western positivist approach.
The
movement has given rise to new intellectual trends which investigate vital
issues in the life of Muslims, including the economic issue which is a
determining factor in Man’s effort to improve his material condition and
to be able to lead a decent life.
A
new approach was therefore developed in economic analyses and studies with
an increased awareness of the need to curb the pressure exerted by the
foreign materialistic philosophy. The search for new economic rules based
on Islamic material and spiritual values led to the recognition of the
distinct features of an Islamic economic order which is clearly different
from other economic systems, especially the positivist one, if only because
it is based on fixed principles which are set in the holy Qur’an and in
the Sunna and which provide for the dignity of man and for social justice. The aim of this
book, published by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
- ISESCO - is to shed light on the basic economic principles in Islam and
express them in modern language. It is, thus, an attempt to see how those
fundamentals apply in different economic situations and offer an answer
to contemporary economic problems.
In
publishing Dr. Muhammad Shawki Al Fanjari’s “The Essence of Economic Policy
in Islam and the Importance of Islamic Economics”, the Islamic Organization
- ISESCO - seeks to emphasize a particular aspect of the comprehensiveness
and richness of Islamic thought, a task which is in line with the provisions
of its Charter calling for the dissemination of Islamic thought and cultural
values. ISESCO is thus doing its best to make this part of the Islamic
heritage accessible to the public so that they may comprehend the true
nature of Islam, the greatness of its principles and the serenity of its
message. This is indeed one of the major tasks assigned to this Organization
which seeks to foster an adequate environment for strengthening the bonds
of solidarity among Muslims and enhancing their position in the world.
We hope this book
will encourage the reader to give further thought to the issue of Islamic
economic policy which reflects one of the aspects of the independent and
comprehensive nature of the Islamic methodology.
Abdelhadi Boutaleb
Director General, Islamic Educational.
Scientific and Cultural Organization
