Abstract: Dadabhai Naoroji (1825-1917) was among the leading Indian nationalist leaders who arous... more Abstract: Dadabhai Naoroji (1825-1917) was among the leading Indian nationalist leaders who aroused the feeling of economic nationalism and propagated for it. The most instrumental in this regard had been his theory of drain. The paper studies this theory and its role in awakening the desire and movement to achieve economic nationalism. It also examines the stages through, which Dadabhai passed from economic nationalism to political nationalism or the self-rule which was his final call. The paper will conclude with a remark that economic nationalism and political nationalism are complementary and supplementary to each other and none will be realized in true sense of the word without the achievement of other.
Jami`al-Azhar (al-Azhar Mosque University) has been the oldest and most renowned seat of Islamic ... more Jami`al-Azhar (al-Azhar Mosque University) has been the oldest and most renowned seat of Islamic learning and education in Egypt. During the nineteenth century it had been very faithful to its past pattern and courses of studies. It was hardly affected by the developments that were taking place elsewhere in the world in social and natural sciences (al-Jabarti, 1985, 1: 276). In general, its teachers ceased to produce original work. The overall environment was that of imitation and repetition. Writing a commentary or commentary over commentary, on an earlier work, was considered a great achievement. There was dearth of creative and innovative writings. However, some of its graduates were ignited with new spirit of change and reform when directly or indirectly they came across modern world of learning in theory and practice. Rifā‘ah Rāfi ‘ al-Tahtāwī was one such personality. The present paper studies economic ideas of this modernized Azharite graduate of the nineteenth century Egypt.
The present paper is an attempt to correct Timur Ku ran on various issues related to the genesis ... more The present paper is an attempt to correct Timur Ku ran on various issues related to the genesis of Islamic economics. It dem onstrates that "Islamic economics" is not a product of twentieth century. T he term may be new but its origins go back to early period of Islam. Its evolu tion up to the present state of a distinguished discipline can be divided into six di stinct phases. The paper argues that the modern Islamic economics was never a secta rian subject. Nor was it developed for Muslims' identity and protection purp ose. Scholars of different regions and of diverse affiliations promoted it and its propounders aimed at the well-being of all.
The present paper is an attempt to correct Timur Kuran on various issues related to the genesis o... more The present paper is an attempt to correct Timur Kuran on various issues related to the genesis of Islamic economics. It demonstrates that "Islamic economics" is not a product of twentieth century. The term may be new but its origins go back to early period of Islam. Its evolution up to the present state of a distinguished discipline can be divided into six distinct phases. The paper argues that the modern Islamic economics was never a sectarian subject. Nor was it developed for Muslims' identity and protection purpose. Scholars of different regions and of diverse affiliations promoted it and its propounders aimed at the well-being of all.
The present paper contends the thesis presented by Timur Kuran in his work The Long Divergence: H... more The present paper contends the thesis presented by Timur Kuran in his work The Long Divergence: How Islamic Law Held Back the Middle East which asserts that since certain provisions of the Islamic Law, though egalitarian in nature, caused fragmentation of assets, they were responsible for the fall of the Middle East because they did not allow corporations, banks, and big trading companies to emerge, supposedly behind the rise of the West. It argues that the real factors that caused the rise of the West were different. In the Middle East adverse political, intellectual and economic factors, such as state's apathy, irrelevant education and unscientific atmosphere, declining agriculture, trade and industry, were responsible for its fall behind the West. There was no question of Islamic law preventing them or causing their annihilation. This is clear from the development of the region during its early history as well as from its recent history.
The most important aspect of women’s economic empowerment in Islam is that it has recognized thei... more The most important aspect of women’s economic empowerment in Islam is that it has recognized their separate and independent identity and gave them numerous economic rights such as right to own property, share inheritance, engage in various economic activities to increase their fortune, etc. Their economic roles in Islam are governed by the broad principle of division of labor. This division of labor is based on their natural comparative advantages. Man has to look after the affairs outside the home while woman has to take care of the inside. All are accountable in his or her sphere of jurisdiction. Her services have economic value no less than man’s. It is therefore obligatory for husbands to spend on their wives. The division of work and different sphere of activities prescribed by Islam is applicable in general and in normal conditions. In emergencies and special circumstances there may be change of their roles or they can join hands to share responsibilities of one another. Howev...
The present paper proposes to study differences in thoughts of the first vs. second generation Is... more The present paper proposes to study differences in thoughts of the first vs. second generation Islamic economists, during the past forty years. It will also investigate deviations that occurred in thought and practice in this period. But first it will try to determine the basis of differentiation between the two generations and their distinguishing features. For our study purpose, we regard as the first generation those scholars who started writing on the subject of Islamic economics between 1950 to 1975, a period highly unfriendly if not hostile to the idea of economics with Islamic perspective. This phase culminated at the organization of the first international conference on Islamic economics by King Abdulaziz University in the Holy city of Islam – Makkah Mukarramah. A new era started after the conference, in terms of the establishment of research and study centers, issue of specialized journals, enrolment to Ph. D. courses, foundation of study departments, set up of financial in...
The present study explores the state of Muslim economic thinking in the 12th century Hijrah (corr... more The present study explores the state of Muslim economic thinking in the 12th century Hijrah (corresponding to the 18th century of the Christian era). During this period decaying forces in the great Muslim civilization speeded up and Western colonization of Muslim lands began. At the same time, some sort of awakening, soul-searching and efforts at renovation by Islamic thinkers was also initiated. Yet, to date, the state of Muslim economic thinking during this century has remained unexplored. To fill this lacuinae, three dynamic and revolutionary personalities of the period, namely, Muhammad b. Abd al-Wahhab, Uthman dan Fodio and Shah Wali-Allah al-Dihlawi, have been selected for study. At the outset, an overview of the Muslim history of the period has been presented so as to set a proper perspective for the study. In particular, the study takes note of the religious, socio-political and intellectual renovating efforts of these three scholars. Each is discussed under the headings: Ti...
This paper deals with the human resource development (HRD) from the Islamic Perspective. It also ... more This paper deals with the human resource development (HRD) from the Islamic Perspective. It also takes note of India’s place in HRD, and tries to examine the condition of human resource development among Indian Muslims and concludes with certain suggestions to improve the situation.
Muhammad Hamidullah was a genius and a prolific writer. Anyone who has interest in the Qur'an... more Muhammad Hamidullah was a genius and a prolific writer. Anyone who has interest in the Qur'an's translation, Hadith literature, the Prophet's (peace be upon him) biography, international Islamic law, Islamic politics and archival heritage of Islam, cannot ignore Dr. Muhammad Hamidullah's contributions. But very few may be aware that he was one of the pioneers of modern Islamic economics. Hamidullah started his writings on Islamic economics in 1930s. In fact, it is not easy to get records of some of his early writings. Some of his articles were published in journals that discontinued publication. This may be one of the reasons why his contribution to Islamic economics could not be fully known. The editor's three papers - “Hamidullah: Life and Works”, “An Introduction to Hamidullah's Contributions to Islamic Economics”, and “Zakah as the State Finance: A Critical Study of Hamidullah’s Views” - give plenty of information about Dr. Hamidullah’s personality and mu...
This paper deals with the question of quality control in researches on Islamic economics and rela... more This paper deals with the question of quality control in researches on Islamic economics and related areas and how to improve it. It is mainly based on the author's short experience as the chief editor of the Journal of King Abdulaziz University - Islamic Economics (JKAU-IE). He got motivation to write about it by an article entitled ""How to Write an Effective Referee Report and Improve the Scientific Review Process" authored by three American professors. A few points of this article have also been highlighted in this paper in addition to the author's advice to the researchers to avoid dependency on unknown and secondary sources, be careful while referring to the Quran and ahadith, do not rely on internet information unless it is supplemented and verified by other reliable sources. Standard rules should be followed in pagination and quotations. The paper also exposes malpractices in joint authorship. It is proposed that it should be made obligatory and a cond...
Mufti Muhammad Abduh (1849-1905), a graduate of Jāmiʿ al-Azhar, was harbinger and precursor of Is... more Mufti Muhammad Abduh (1849-1905), a graduate of Jāmiʿ al-Azhar, was harbinger and precursor of Islamic modernism. He attracted attention of maximum number of researchers on modernism in the Muslim world. His contributions to fiqh, tafsīr, tawḥīd, literature, educational reform and politics are well known. He also thought and wrote on economic problem. He is one of the pioneer ʿulamā in the modern period who paid attention to this aspect of human life. He had deep concern for the poor; he opposed bonded labor and stressed upon the obligations of the rich towards the poor. He pointed out that the concentration of wealth caused the lack of effective demand. He gave wide meaning to the term fi sabīl-Allāh and al-afwā. He permitted insurance on the basis of muḍārabah. However, this aspect of his biography remained neglected. Ironically, the only thing reported about his economic views is ‘his permission of interest earned from the deposits in post offices’ for which no evidence is availa...
This paper discusses economic ideas of al-Asadi, a fifteenth-century writer on socioeconomic prob... more This paper discusses economic ideas of al-Asadi, a fifteenth-century writer on socioeconomic problems. His work "al-Taysir" (The Facilitation) is a good example of the mirror for princes written in the later middle ages of the Arab-Islamic history. He suggested efficient market administration, public distribution of food, elimination of monopolies, monetary reform, management of public income and expenditure, use of statistics, though embryonic, in production and distribution, and measurement of inflation. The depth and significance of his ideas remains largely unexplored. The present paper attempts to address this need.
Abstract: Dadabhai Naoroji (1825-1917) was among the leading Indian nationalist leaders who arous... more Abstract: Dadabhai Naoroji (1825-1917) was among the leading Indian nationalist leaders who aroused the feeling of economic nationalism and propagated for it. The most instrumental in this regard had been his theory of drain. The paper studies this theory and its role in awakening the desire and movement to achieve economic nationalism. It also examines the stages through, which Dadabhai passed from economic nationalism to political nationalism or the self-rule which was his final call. The paper will conclude with a remark that economic nationalism and political nationalism are complementary and supplementary to each other and none will be realized in true sense of the word without the achievement of other.
Jami`al-Azhar (al-Azhar Mosque University) has been the oldest and most renowned seat of Islamic ... more Jami`al-Azhar (al-Azhar Mosque University) has been the oldest and most renowned seat of Islamic learning and education in Egypt. During the nineteenth century it had been very faithful to its past pattern and courses of studies. It was hardly affected by the developments that were taking place elsewhere in the world in social and natural sciences (al-Jabarti, 1985, 1: 276). In general, its teachers ceased to produce original work. The overall environment was that of imitation and repetition. Writing a commentary or commentary over commentary, on an earlier work, was considered a great achievement. There was dearth of creative and innovative writings. However, some of its graduates were ignited with new spirit of change and reform when directly or indirectly they came across modern world of learning in theory and practice. Rifā‘ah Rāfi ‘ al-Tahtāwī was one such personality. The present paper studies economic ideas of this modernized Azharite graduate of the nineteenth century Egypt.
The present paper is an attempt to correct Timur Ku ran on various issues related to the genesis ... more The present paper is an attempt to correct Timur Ku ran on various issues related to the genesis of Islamic economics. It dem onstrates that "Islamic economics" is not a product of twentieth century. T he term may be new but its origins go back to early period of Islam. Its evolu tion up to the present state of a distinguished discipline can be divided into six di stinct phases. The paper argues that the modern Islamic economics was never a secta rian subject. Nor was it developed for Muslims' identity and protection purp ose. Scholars of different regions and of diverse affiliations promoted it and its propounders aimed at the well-being of all.
The present paper is an attempt to correct Timur Kuran on various issues related to the genesis o... more The present paper is an attempt to correct Timur Kuran on various issues related to the genesis of Islamic economics. It demonstrates that "Islamic economics" is not a product of twentieth century. The term may be new but its origins go back to early period of Islam. Its evolution up to the present state of a distinguished discipline can be divided into six distinct phases. The paper argues that the modern Islamic economics was never a sectarian subject. Nor was it developed for Muslims' identity and protection purpose. Scholars of different regions and of diverse affiliations promoted it and its propounders aimed at the well-being of all.
The present paper contends the thesis presented by Timur Kuran in his work The Long Divergence: H... more The present paper contends the thesis presented by Timur Kuran in his work The Long Divergence: How Islamic Law Held Back the Middle East which asserts that since certain provisions of the Islamic Law, though egalitarian in nature, caused fragmentation of assets, they were responsible for the fall of the Middle East because they did not allow corporations, banks, and big trading companies to emerge, supposedly behind the rise of the West. It argues that the real factors that caused the rise of the West were different. In the Middle East adverse political, intellectual and economic factors, such as state's apathy, irrelevant education and unscientific atmosphere, declining agriculture, trade and industry, were responsible for its fall behind the West. There was no question of Islamic law preventing them or causing their annihilation. This is clear from the development of the region during its early history as well as from its recent history.
The most important aspect of women’s economic empowerment in Islam is that it has recognized thei... more The most important aspect of women’s economic empowerment in Islam is that it has recognized their separate and independent identity and gave them numerous economic rights such as right to own property, share inheritance, engage in various economic activities to increase their fortune, etc. Their economic roles in Islam are governed by the broad principle of division of labor. This division of labor is based on their natural comparative advantages. Man has to look after the affairs outside the home while woman has to take care of the inside. All are accountable in his or her sphere of jurisdiction. Her services have economic value no less than man’s. It is therefore obligatory for husbands to spend on their wives. The division of work and different sphere of activities prescribed by Islam is applicable in general and in normal conditions. In emergencies and special circumstances there may be change of their roles or they can join hands to share responsibilities of one another. Howev...
The present paper proposes to study differences in thoughts of the first vs. second generation Is... more The present paper proposes to study differences in thoughts of the first vs. second generation Islamic economists, during the past forty years. It will also investigate deviations that occurred in thought and practice in this period. But first it will try to determine the basis of differentiation between the two generations and their distinguishing features. For our study purpose, we regard as the first generation those scholars who started writing on the subject of Islamic economics between 1950 to 1975, a period highly unfriendly if not hostile to the idea of economics with Islamic perspective. This phase culminated at the organization of the first international conference on Islamic economics by King Abdulaziz University in the Holy city of Islam – Makkah Mukarramah. A new era started after the conference, in terms of the establishment of research and study centers, issue of specialized journals, enrolment to Ph. D. courses, foundation of study departments, set up of financial in...
The present study explores the state of Muslim economic thinking in the 12th century Hijrah (corr... more The present study explores the state of Muslim economic thinking in the 12th century Hijrah (corresponding to the 18th century of the Christian era). During this period decaying forces in the great Muslim civilization speeded up and Western colonization of Muslim lands began. At the same time, some sort of awakening, soul-searching and efforts at renovation by Islamic thinkers was also initiated. Yet, to date, the state of Muslim economic thinking during this century has remained unexplored. To fill this lacuinae, three dynamic and revolutionary personalities of the period, namely, Muhammad b. Abd al-Wahhab, Uthman dan Fodio and Shah Wali-Allah al-Dihlawi, have been selected for study. At the outset, an overview of the Muslim history of the period has been presented so as to set a proper perspective for the study. In particular, the study takes note of the religious, socio-political and intellectual renovating efforts of these three scholars. Each is discussed under the headings: Ti...
This paper deals with the human resource development (HRD) from the Islamic Perspective. It also ... more This paper deals with the human resource development (HRD) from the Islamic Perspective. It also takes note of India’s place in HRD, and tries to examine the condition of human resource development among Indian Muslims and concludes with certain suggestions to improve the situation.
Muhammad Hamidullah was a genius and a prolific writer. Anyone who has interest in the Qur'an... more Muhammad Hamidullah was a genius and a prolific writer. Anyone who has interest in the Qur'an's translation, Hadith literature, the Prophet's (peace be upon him) biography, international Islamic law, Islamic politics and archival heritage of Islam, cannot ignore Dr. Muhammad Hamidullah's contributions. But very few may be aware that he was one of the pioneers of modern Islamic economics. Hamidullah started his writings on Islamic economics in 1930s. In fact, it is not easy to get records of some of his early writings. Some of his articles were published in journals that discontinued publication. This may be one of the reasons why his contribution to Islamic economics could not be fully known. The editor's three papers - “Hamidullah: Life and Works”, “An Introduction to Hamidullah's Contributions to Islamic Economics”, and “Zakah as the State Finance: A Critical Study of Hamidullah’s Views” - give plenty of information about Dr. Hamidullah’s personality and mu...
This paper deals with the question of quality control in researches on Islamic economics and rela... more This paper deals with the question of quality control in researches on Islamic economics and related areas and how to improve it. It is mainly based on the author's short experience as the chief editor of the Journal of King Abdulaziz University - Islamic Economics (JKAU-IE). He got motivation to write about it by an article entitled ""How to Write an Effective Referee Report and Improve the Scientific Review Process" authored by three American professors. A few points of this article have also been highlighted in this paper in addition to the author's advice to the researchers to avoid dependency on unknown and secondary sources, be careful while referring to the Quran and ahadith, do not rely on internet information unless it is supplemented and verified by other reliable sources. Standard rules should be followed in pagination and quotations. The paper also exposes malpractices in joint authorship. It is proposed that it should be made obligatory and a cond...
Mufti Muhammad Abduh (1849-1905), a graduate of Jāmiʿ al-Azhar, was harbinger and precursor of Is... more Mufti Muhammad Abduh (1849-1905), a graduate of Jāmiʿ al-Azhar, was harbinger and precursor of Islamic modernism. He attracted attention of maximum number of researchers on modernism in the Muslim world. His contributions to fiqh, tafsīr, tawḥīd, literature, educational reform and politics are well known. He also thought and wrote on economic problem. He is one of the pioneer ʿulamā in the modern period who paid attention to this aspect of human life. He had deep concern for the poor; he opposed bonded labor and stressed upon the obligations of the rich towards the poor. He pointed out that the concentration of wealth caused the lack of effective demand. He gave wide meaning to the term fi sabīl-Allāh and al-afwā. He permitted insurance on the basis of muḍārabah. However, this aspect of his biography remained neglected. Ironically, the only thing reported about his economic views is ‘his permission of interest earned from the deposits in post offices’ for which no evidence is availa...
This paper discusses economic ideas of al-Asadi, a fifteenth-century writer on socioeconomic prob... more This paper discusses economic ideas of al-Asadi, a fifteenth-century writer on socioeconomic problems. His work "al-Taysir" (The Facilitation) is a good example of the mirror for princes written in the later middle ages of the Arab-Islamic history. He suggested efficient market administration, public distribution of food, elimination of monopolies, monetary reform, management of public income and expenditure, use of statistics, though embryonic, in production and distribution, and measurement of inflation. The depth and significance of his ideas remains largely unexplored. The present paper attempts to address this need.
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Papers by Dr Abdul Azim Islahi