The Concept of Islamic Economics

By Chairman Farouk Kerbelker

From any perspective willingly or unwillingly, it has to be absolutely clear that Allāh Almighty is worthy of all praise and worship.

It is He, Allāh, The Creator of all humanity, Who provides all the basic necessities of life, guides man with systems, mechanisms with steps and procedures to minimize hardship and starvation, provide humanity with basic economic needs under the umbrella of peace, security, harmony and co-operation and provide total needs to maximize growth of individual, family, society.

Our sincere thankfulness and gratitude in submission to Allāh Almighty has to lead us to belief in Tawhid and worship i.e. the path of formal worship e.g. Salah and informal worship e.g. spending in the cause of Allāh, i.e. establishing the ethico-religious order of Islam.

Let’s talk briefly about Tawhid (The Oneness of Allāh Almighty) and the economy.  Firstly we notice that Islam provides a set of economic goals, values that encompasses and harmonises all aspects of life i.e. ensuring that life is a consistent whole, all this together with integrated mechanisms to achieve the desired goals.

Secondly, Allāh Almighty has designated that certain resources cannot be privately owned. Everyone has the right to benefit, of course, with duties and responsibilities from, and make use of Allāh Almighty’s Raḥmah (Mercy and Blessings) plus natural and other resources. Man has a Divine obligation to earn a livelihood. Under no circumstances can he be deprived of a livelihood. No impediment / constraints / interference should be placed in his efforts to earn his livelihood.  When circumstances are not in his favour he has the Divine right to be helped by the state and his fellow citizens.

Thirdly the economic system, the acquisition and distribution of wealth, must be in strict compliance with the Shari’ah or specific moral and legal guidelines as designed by Allāh, The Wise.

So man’s freedom including his economic activities is to be exercised as an obligation of his lawful commitment as defined in the Qur’ān and Sunnah, thus ensuring the rights and well-being of all as well as his own personal benefit and growth. This is part of the Divine plan to bring about a just and equitable society i.e. re-create the Medina State to the benefit of all – all this is part everyone’s obligation defined by Tawḥīd – it is not the job of Islamic Banks only.

So we see, Islām has a unique way of dealing and understanding the concepts of personal responsibilities, ownership, investments, economics, consumption, financing (without interest implications) and the spending of wealth.

The Concept of Tawḥīd

By Dr H.M. Kotwal

All praise is to Allāh, Lord of the Worlds and may His peace and Blessings be upon the Final and Complete Messenger, Muḥammad Musṭaphā (SAW), his family and companions.

There is none worthy of worship except Him and Muḥammad (SAW) is His final Messenger.

Let us discuss a few points by way of introduction and define words and concepts like Tawḥīd, our mission also referred to as our purpose in life, and the Will and Plan of Allāh Almighty.

Generally speaking

Tawḥīd, the Oneness of Allāh Almighty, is the core element of all Revelations from Allāh, the All Knowing. All prophets taught Tawhid, the Unity of Allāh , The Perfect. Thus Islam insists that all Prophets are Muslim. Their primary mission was to transform the individual and society, based on the right and perfect belief and right conduct, and so facilitated in their own separate circumstances and time, the implementation of Allāh’s Will and Plan.

The essence of Nabi Muḥammad (SAW’s) message is the establishment of a complete, all inclusive transformed global society. In other words to establish the ‘Kingdom of God on earth’ as expressed by Nabi Īsa /Jesus may Allāh be pleased with him. A united universal brotherhood based on truth, peace, harmony, and equity for all human beings so that others could also accept the Oneness of Allāh, acknowledging His sovereignty, and unconditionally surrendering their will to the fulfilment of His Will and Plan to the best of their ability to benefit the entire creation which he, Nabi Muḥammad, achieved.

Now let us discuss the purpose of life in accordance to the Will and Plan of Allāh the Wise

God’s Will and Plan is that man must fulfil his purpose of life to the best of his ability. That purpose is the position of Khalīfatullāh, Allāh’s representative on earth, the vanguard of creation. Mans’ purpose of life can clearly be seen in the Makkan period. Every human being has been given the inherent capacity to fulfil this trust and responsibility provided he follows Gods’ Plan explicitly.

The Concept of Freedom in Islām

In the name of Allāh, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

By Farouk Kerbelker (vice-chairman)

All praise is due to Allāh, Lord of the Worlds and may the peace and blessings of Allāh Almighty be upon the Noble Prophet Muḥammad (SAW) his family and companions and upon all those who follow the Truth until the end of time and beyond Inshā Allāh.

After praising and thanking Allāh, Almighty, I thank our Chairman, Adam Ismail, and the executive members for granting me the privilege to address our guests and our members here today. Thank you Moulana and the office staff for all your assistance. Hajji Moosa Vallie Ismail, jazākallāh for your invaluable contribution in the drafting this paper entitled The Concept of Freedom in Islām.  May Allāh grant you many more years with us to benefit from your vast experience, knowledge, and wisdom, Inshā Allāh. 

Jazākallāh Maulana Ridwaan Mathews for the melodious recital of Suratul A’Rãf  Verses 157 to 159 and Sūrah Tawba verses 128 to 129 which will form the spirit of my talk here today

 Allāh The All Wise says:

“And those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in the Torah and the Gospel, enjoining them to do what is right and forbidding them what is wrong, making lawful for them the good (things), and forbidding for them the wrong (things) and relieving them of their burdens, and the difficulties that were upon them. Those who believe in him and honour him, and help him and follow the Nur (the Holy Qur’ãn) that has been sent down with him… they are the successful.” Sūrah A’rãf verse 157

The Status of Women in Islām

Muslim Assembly (Cape) – The Status of Women in Islām

By the late Dr. H. M. Kotwal – Graduate of the Alighar University, President and founder of the Muslim Assembly (Cape)

i.          Introduction

Allāh Almighty in His Infinite Wisdom and Mercy grants women a status like everything else in Islām, a status in Tawḥīd i.e. The Oneness of Allāh Almighty.  Her status in life as a human being, like any male human being, is the same.  But in the view of her different physical equipment and her role in life, she has rights, responsibilities and duties pertaining to her distinct role as a woman.  Her relationship to her male counterpart, is like everything else in Tawḥīd, in a healthy balance.  Her vital role as a mother makes her the backbone of humanity.  Allāh Almighty’s Rasūl, Muḥammad (P.B.U.H.), emphasized this when he stated that heaven lies at the feet of the mother, for it is the mother to whom the child first turns for every need and it is the mother who is the first teacher of the child.

The early years of childhood are the years, when the child can implement every good act to reap good habits, and good habits result in a healthy, good character and a healthy good character results in a successful destiny.

ii.         Pre-Islāmic Period

The world of humanity prior to the appearance of Muḥammad Musṭaphā (P.B.U.H.), was a world in which women had no established status. In every society of the whole world, women were subjugated and denied their status, even as a human being.  Islām gives status to women with honour twice that of the male, twice that of the husband and twice that of the father is the honour of the mother.  Twice that of the husband is the honour of the wife.  Twice that of the brother is the honour of the sister.  Twice that of the son is the honour of the daughter.  In view of the gifts bestowed upon women by Divine Ordinance such as physical beauty, of voice, a greater capacity for shame and modesty, steadfastness and patience, her role is as the very heart of the home, which is the abode where one expects to find refuge and comfort from the trying challenges of each day.

Chairman’s Presentation: Tawakkul

And a good morning to everyone.

On behalf of all present, I praise and express our gratitude to Allāh Almighty, the only one who poses all the qualities of beauty to perfection, peace, love and blessings on His final and complete messenger Muḥammad Musṭaphā (SAW), to his household, his companions and all those who follow the truth until the end of time as we understand it.

The theme for today is Tawakkul in Allāh 

The meaning of Tawakkul is enshrined in the Dhikr we so often make and recite in both times of stress and success.     

Hasbunallāhu Wa Ni’mal Wakeel.

Allāh is Sufficient for us, He is the Best to guide and disposer of our affairs and the Best Helper. What an Excellent Guardian and Protector He is!

Tawakkul may be defined as being a complete process of placing our entire Faith, Trust, patience and hope in Allāh, The Rabb of all the worlds, relying unconditionally on Him to direct our thoughts and deeds according to His will and plan.

This imply that we will patiently exhaust all available resources to accomplish a purpose, a mission, a goal or any endeavour in the spirit of Qur’ān and Sunnah to bring about goodness and beauty for ourselves and others.