RESEARCH ON ISLAMIC ECONOMICS AND FINANCE AND ROLE OF FAITH IN MARKETS AND SOCIETY IN POST MODERN SCIENTIFIC AGE
Islamic inheritance laws in Islamic economic framework have the potential to permanently and systematically reduce the concentration of wealth in every generation at the most micro level possible.
In neoclassical growth theories, the emphasis is on increasing savings and technological progress which brings about increase in capital per worker and eventually output per worker. In ‘endogenous growth theory’ models, more sophisticated work has been done by determining the factors which affect the technology, human capital and savings. This article analyzes whether Islamic economic principles have the capacity to help build these elements for sustainable growth and development.
Resources are scarce as compared to unlimited wants. But, the economics of non-rival ideas creation has proved that resources are ample and that physical resources could be used in ways that keeps fulfilling the basic needs of society through the creation of ideas that augment and bring multiplier effect to the availability of given physical resources.
To some scholars, it seems that practiced Islamic banking is yet to incapsulate the ideals of Islamic economic principles. These scholars caution against mimicking conventional banking products and using the same paradigm to make these products somehow conform to Islamic legal framework.
History of economic man is fascinating. He has used the nature’s blessings to find and create new and innovative ways of maximizing utility. But, nonetheless, at all points in time, he does not feel satiated. He remains poor ‘relatively’ to the limitless desires and nature’s limitations. The dream of being ‘truly apart’ only remains a dream in everyone’s life. But, then, everyone achieves it one day. There is one place that everyone reaches where he is not accompanied by anyone. It’s his or her grave. Belief in life hereafter is the only thing that gives meaning to this world and life.
Time value of money is the problem for the investor to avoid keeping his/her money idle and to avoid forgoing the use of money that may bring positive value to his/her investment. However, it does not mean that the investor can demand an arbitrary increase as the cost of using money without taking the risk of a productive enterprise.
Higher education has become a necessity in current times with the increased competition in labor market and increased demands on keeping up with changing skills set. Nevertheless, the cost of obtaining higher education has also increased a lot in recent times. This article proposes an alternate way for financing higher education without the element of interest.
Opportunity cost is a useful concept in economics. This article tries to explain how this concept is used to justify interest. Then, the article also highlights the problem with this approach.
Abstaining from excessiveness in consumption, usury, speculation, gambling and fraud in trade and by engaging in charitable giving and living one’s life with the realization to be always helpful to the other members of society creates a sea of change if one starts believing in it and practice it.
Unrestrained chase of self-interest, moral relativism, incentive-led economic choices and indifference to collective responsibilities has led to engender societies where economic interests have become the solitary basis of establishing and maintaining relationships.
Islamic Economics Project 