Intellectual Comparison Between Islamic Economy and Capitalism❖ The Fundamental Ideology of Capitalism
Capitalism is a dominant global system of life, whose roots are firmly entrenched in atheistic metaphysics. Its central assumptions are outlined below:
① Man as an Autonomous and Self-Sufficient Being
Man is seen as the creator of himself and the universe, independent of any Supreme Being.
② The Universe as an Accidental and Purposeless Existence
The universe is viewed as a mere coincidental accident, devoid of any ultimate or higher purpose, though its existence is considered eternal.
③ Reality Is Limited to Sensory Experience
Reality is restricted only to what can be sensed and observed; human intellect derives its concepts solely through these sensory experiences.
④ Dominant Natural Instinct: Animalistic Desires
Man's inherent instinct is animalistic, and the primary goal of life is to maximize the expression of these desires.
⑤ Intellect as a Servant to the Lower Self (Nafs al-Ammārah)
Human intellect remains subservient to the lower self, and moral principles are shaped to maximize material benefit.
❖ Capitalist Individualism and Social Structure
The capitalist system fosters a form of individualism and social order in which greed, envy, lust, and rage become the true driving forces behind civilization’s progress.
✔ Man remains constantly subjugated to his carnal desires, dedicating his actions to fulfill them.
✔ In capitalist societies, the national interest is defined solely as the pursuit of maximum material benefit for both the state and the individual.
❖ The Objective of the Islamic State
The Islamic State, referred to as "Imārat-e-Islāmiyyah", does not aim for mere material development or wealth acquisition. Rather, its true objective is to ensure the salvation of all its citizens in the Hereafter.
✔ Accordingly, the primary objective of national economic policy is to encourage people to devote their actions to success in the Hereafter.
❖ The Ottoman Caliphate and the Islamic Economy
For nearly twelve centuries, Muslim states — especially prior to the fall of the Ottoman Empire — implemented economic policies that linked livelihood with the Hereafter.
✔ During that era, people did not view economic activities merely as a means of wealth accumulation, but as a means of earning reward for the Hereafter.
✔ As a result, greed and excessive desire were not widespread in Muslim societies, and an Islamic form of individualism continued to develop.
❖ Capitalist Imperial Domination
In the nineteenth century, capitalist imperialism gained military, political, and spiritual dominance over the Muslim world, leading to the destruction of the Islamic economic system.
✔ Imperialism imposed a type of individualism that declared material dominance over the earth (Tasarruf fil-Ard) as the ultimate goal of life.
✔ Consequently, atheistic rationalism became widespread, promoting the belief that following the desires of Nafs al-Ammārah is true wisdom.
✔ The ignorant knowledge of modern economics completely detached economic activities from the Hereafter, causing Muslim economic policies to follow the same corrupt path.
❖ The Path to Establishing the Islamic Economic System
In order to establish an Islamic economy, it is essential to cultivate a new kind of individualism — one that is neither greedy nor envious, but instead regards economic activity as a means to succeed in the Hereafter.
✔ The goal of this economy is not the attainment of worldly pleasures, but rather success in the eternal life.
✔ The development of such Islamic individualism is not an immediate process, but rather a gradual transformation requiring the active role of the state.
✔ In the current circumstances, Muslim societies lack the capacity to establish this systemic dominance independently; therefore, it must be pursued at the state level with wisdom and patience.
