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This article will continue as we explore Sharīʿah’s political, economic, social and cultural dominance, and why capitalism, socialism, democracy, and liberalism fail to offer true and fundamental solutions.
Table of contents:
- Introduction: The Crisis of Modern Civilization
- I. ECONOMIC DOMAIN: JUSTICE, BALANCE, AND HUMAN DIGNITY
- CONCLUSION TO PART I: ECONOMIC JUSTICE UNDER SHARIAH
Introduction: The Crisis of Modern Civilization
Humanity stands at the precipice of absolute collapse. The so-called “enlightened” modern ideologies, capitalism, socialism, democracy, and liberalism, have systematically failed, creating unprecedented levels of inequality, moral decay, environmental destruction, and spiritual emptiness. These man-made systems, arrogantly rejecting Divine guidance, have proven themselves to be nothing more than instruments of oppression, exploitation, and dehumanization.
Islam is a complete, comprehensive system of life that addresses every aspect of human existence. Shariah is the Divine law that Allah has prescribed for humanity’s success in this world and salvation in the Hereafter. Allah Almighty declares in the Quran:
ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَـٰكَ عَلَىٰ شَرِيعَةٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْأَمْرِ فَٱتَّبِعْهَا وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَآءَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ١٨
“Then We put you on a ordained way (Shariah) concerning the matter; so follow it, and do not follow the desires of those who do not know.”
I. ECONOMIC DOMAIN: JUSTICE, BALANCE, AND HUMAN DIGNITY
Modern capitalism has created a world where:
- 8 people own as much wealth as 3.5 billion people
- A person dies of hunger every 4 seconds while billionaires make $1 million in the same time
- Global debt exceeds $300 trillion, enslaving entire nations
- Homelessness exists alongside empty mansions
This is capitalism working exactly as designed: a system of systematic theft, exploitation, and economic violence.
A. The Prohibition of Riba (Usury): Destroying the Foundation of Economic Oppression
Interest-based lending is the primary weapon of economic warfare used by the wealthy to enslave the poor. The rich lend money and multiply their wealth without labor, while the poor drown in debt slavery.
Islamic Position on Riba:
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَذَرُوا۟ مَا بَقِىَ مِنَ ٱلرِّبَوٰٓا۟ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ٢٧٨
“O you who believe! Fear Allah and give up what remains of riba if you are believers. But if you do not do it, then take notice of WAR from Allah and His Messenger…”
Read that again: WAR FROM ALLAH. This is a declaration of war against the interest-based system that enslaves humanity.
يَمْحَقُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلرِّبَوٰا۟ وَيُرْبِى ٱلصَّدَقَـٰتِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ كَفَّارٍ أَثِيمٍ ٢٧٦
“Allah has made interest fruitless and charity fruitful. And Allah does not like any ungrateful evildoer.”
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) cursed those involved in riba with devastating clarity:
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الصَّبَّاحِ، وَزُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، وَعُثْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، قَالُوا حَدَّثَنَا هُشَيْمٌ، أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو الزُّبَيْرِ، عَنْ جَابِرٍ، قَالَ لَعَنَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم آكِلَ الرِّبَا وَمُوكِلَهُ وَكَاتِبَهُ وَشَاهِدَيْهِ وَقَالَ هُمْ سَوَاءٌ .
Jabir said that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) cursed the accepter of interest and its payer, and one who records it, and the two witnesses, and he said: “They are all equal”
Abdullah ibn Hanzalah (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) reported that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: “Knowingly consuming a dirham of riba is worse for a man than committing adultery thirty-six times.”.
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: “Even if riba is much, it will end up being a small amount.”
We can bring hundreds of Ayah and hadith regarding riba, but we don’t want to make the already long text longer.
During the Caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), the Bayt al-Mal (public treasury) distributed wealth through zakat and interest-free loans. Trade was conducted through profit-sharing partnerships (Mudarabah, Musharakah), real economic cooperation, not parasitic exploitation.
When we go back toCcapitalism, the IMF and World Bank have enslaved Africa, Asia, and Latin America through interest-bearing loans. Countries pay more in interest than they receive in aid. This is modern colonialism, economic slavery disguised as “development assistance.”
Meanwhile, Islamic finance has grown to over $3 trillion globally, growing at 10-12% annually, proving that interest-free economics is not only morally superior but economically viable.
B. Zakat and Sadaqah: Mandatory Wealth Redistribution
Zakat is not charity at all. Zakat is a divine right of the poor in the wealth of the rich. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, making it absolutely obligatory.
Allah said:
خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ صَدَقَةًۭ تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِم بِهَا وَصَلِّ عَلَيْهِمْ ۖ إِنَّ صَلَوٰتَكَ سَكَنٌۭ لَّهُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ ١٠٣
Take from their wealth ˹O Prophet˺ charity to purify and bless them, and pray for them, surely your prayer is a source of comfort for them. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.
وَفِىٓ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ حَقٌّۭ لِّلسَّآئِلِ وَٱلْمَحْرُومِ ١٩
And in their wealth there was a rightful share ˹fulfilled˺ for the beggar and the poor.
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) ordered (a person) to collect Zakat, and that person returned and told him that Ibn Jamil, Khalid bin Al-Walid, and Abbas bin ‘Abdul Muttalib had refused to give Zakat.” Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “What made Ibn Jamll refuse to give Zakat though he was a poor man, and was made wealthy by Allah and His Apostle ? But you are unfair in asking Zakat from Khalid as he is keeping his armor for Allah’s Cause (for Jihad). As for Abbas bin ‘Abdul Muttalib, he is the uncle of Allah’s Apostle (p.b.u.h) and Zakat is compulsory on him and he should pay it double.”
When the Prophet (peace be upon him) sent Muadh to Yemen, he instructed:
“YOU are going to people of a (Divine) Book. First of all invite them to worship Allah (alone) and when they come to know Allah, inform them that Allah has enjoined on them, five prayers in every day and night; and if they start offering these prayers, inform them that Allah has enjoined on them, the Zakat. And it is to be taken from the rich amongst them and given to the poor amongst them; and if they obey you in that, take Zakat from them and avoid (don’t take) the best property of the people as Zakat.”
Under Umar ibn al-Khattab’s Caliphate, the zakat system was so effective that there were no poor people left to receive zakat. The state treasury had surplus wealth because poverty had been virtually eliminated.
During the reign of Umar ibn Abdul Aziz (717-720 CE), the same phenomenon occurred across the Islamic world, no one could be found who needed zakat.
Compare this to modern capitalist societies where billionaires hoard wealth while millions starve.
Allah said:
۞ إِنَّمَا ٱلصَّدَقَـٰتُ لِلْفُقَرَآءِ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينِ وَٱلْعَـٰمِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَٱلْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِى ٱلرِّقَابِ وَٱلْغَـٰرِمِينَ وَفِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱبْنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ ۖ فَرِيضَةًۭ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌۭ ٦٠
Alms-tax is only for the poor and the needy, for those employed to administer it, for those whose hearts are attracted ˹to the faith˺, for ˹freeing˺ slaves, for those in debt, for Allah’s cause, and for ˹needy˺ travellers. ˹This is˺ an obligation from Allah. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
This system guarantees:
- Regular income for the poor
- Debt relief for the indebted
- Housing for the homeless
- Continuous wealth circulation in society
C. Prohibition of Israf (Waste): Sustainable Economics
Modern capitalism thrives on consumption madness, planned obsolescence, fast fashion, throwaway culture. This is environmental and economic suicide.
Quran’s Commands:
۞ يَـٰبَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ خُذُوا۟ زِينَتَكُمْ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍۢ وَكُلُوا۟ وَٱشْرَبُوا۟ وَلَا تُسْرِفُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُسْرِفِينَ ٣١
“O Children of Adam! Dress properly whenever you are at worship. Eat and drink, but do not waste. Surely He does not like the wasteful.”
إِنَّ ٱلْمُبَذِّرِينَ كَانُوٓا۟ إِخْوَٰنَ ٱلشَّيَـٰطِينِ ۖ وَكَانَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ لِرَبِّهِۦ كَفُورًۭا ٢٧
“Surely the wasteful are ˹like˺ brothers to the devils. And the Devil is ever ungrateful to his Lord.”
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said:
“The believer eats in one stomach while the disbeliever eats in seven.”
Passed by Sa’d as he was performing ablution, and he asked: “What is this extravagance?” Sa’d asked in return: “Can there be any extravagance in ablution?” The Prophet replied: “Yes, even if you are on the bank of a flowing river.”
Modern Crisis:
Today, 30% of all food produced is thrown away while 800 million people suffer from hunger. The fast fashion industry produces 92 million tons of textile waste annually. Plastic pollution is destroying our oceans and ecosystems.
Islam’s prohibition of waste and emphasis on moderation would solve both ecological destruction and resource inequality.
D. Property Rights with Social Responsibility
Islam recognizes private property but rejects absolute ownership. The true Owner is Allah; humans are merely trustees.
Quranic Framework:
وَلِلَّهِ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌ ١٨٩
To Allah ˹alone˺ belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. And Allah is Most Capable of everything.
وَٱللَّهُ فَضَّلَ بَعْضَكُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍۢ فِى ٱلرِّزْقِ ۚ فَمَا ٱلَّذِينَ فُضِّلُوا۟ بِرَآدِّى رِزْقِهِمْ عَلَىٰ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُهُمْ فَهُمْ فِيهِ سَوَآءٌ ۚ أَفَبِنِعْمَةِ ٱللَّهِ يَجْحَدُونَ ٧١
And Allah has favoured some of you over others in provision. But those who have been much favoured would not share their wealth with those ˹bondspeople˺ in their possession, making them their equals. Do they then deny Allah’s favours?
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever has extra land should give it to his brother or leave it.”
“He is not a believer whose stomach is filled while his neighbor goes hungry.”
The Companions of the Prophet demonstrated unprecedented generosity:
- Abu Bakr donated his entire wealth
- Umar donated half his wealth
- Uthman purchased wells and made water free for all
- The Ansar shared their homes and properties with the Muhajirun
This is true social solidarity, not enforced by a totalitarian state (like socialism) but motivated by faith and accountability to Allah.
CONCLUSION TO PART I: ECONOMIC JUSTICE UNDER SHARIAH
THE EVIDENCE IS OVERWHELMING:
Islamic economics has PROVEN its superiority through 14 centuries of implementation.
What the Evidence Shows:
RIBA (INTEREST) = ECONOMIC SLAVERY
- Allah declared WAR against usury
- Global $300 trillion debt enslaves entire nations
- Islamic finance ($3 trillion, growing 10-12% annually) proves interest-free economics WORKS
ZAKAT = POVERTY ELIMINATION
- Under Umar ibn al-Khattab: poverty eliminated
- Under Umar ibn Abdul Aziz: no poor left to receive zakat
- Today under capitalism: 8 people = 3.5 billion people in wealth
- One person dies of hunger every 4 seconds
WASTE PROHIBITION = SUSTAINABILITY
- Capitalism: 30% food wasted, 800 million starving, environmental collapse
- Islam: moderation commanded, resources protected, balance maintained
PROPERTY WITH RESPONSIBILITY
- Capitalism: absolute greed, hoard everything
- Islam: Allah is true Owner, neighbors have rights, Companions gave half or all their wealth
THE COMPARISON:
CAPITALISM: Billionaires + beggars, Debt slavery, Environmental destruction, Built on RIBA (war with Allah)
ISLAMIC ECONOMICS: Poverty eliminated (proven), Economic justice, Sustainable resources, Built on DIVINE GUIDANCE
Historical truth: When Islam was implemented → poverty eliminated, justice prevailed, society flourished
Modern reality: Under capitalism → unprecedented inequality, debt slavery, spiritual emptiness, planetary destruction
This is only half of the economic domain, and Alhamdulillah we’ve already demolished capitalism.
Wait for the complete exposure of socialism’s tyranny, democracy’s hypocrisy, and liberalism’s moral bankruptcy.
The system of Allah is COMPLETE, JUST, and PROVEN.
Capitalism has failed. Catastrophically. Irreversibly.
وَمَنْ أَعْرَضَ عَن ذِكْرِى فَإِنَّ لَهُۥ مَعِيشَةًۭ ضَنكًۭا وَنَحْشُرُهُۥ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ أَعْمَىٰ ١٢٤
But whoever turns away from My Reminder will certainly have a miserable life,1 then We will raise them up blind on the Day of Judgment.”
The question is: How long will humanity suffer under man-made systems before returning to the Creator’s guidance?
To be continued…
Wallahu A’lam – And Allah Knows Best
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