ABOUT ISLAM

Minggu, 03 Mei 2009

HOMO ISLAMICUS

Western classical economics is based on the idea of unlimited needs of individuals who face limited resources. The classical homo economicus is a rational and calculating person who seeks to maximize his happiness (utility). Individuals search for happiness is represented by an emotionless cost - benefit analysis of their decisions. More importantly, happiness is usually measured by meterial means.
Many cases were give many evidence that "material means" (natural resources) had turned the world into a lawless, and unjust, and had destruction moslems region, and killing of several hundred thousand moslems people. Look at this evidence: First, continously devastating condition of Palestinians, who have robbered their land by Israel (the tyrant, unjust, and ilegal authorizing) since 1948. Second, USA and NATO invation on Afghanistan (since 2002 until now) and Iraq (since 2003 until now), and create "puppet government" in Afghanistan an Iraq, had destruction moslems village and killings of several hundred thousand moslems people of Afghanistan and Iraq. Third, evil treatment of prisoners by USA Military in Abu Ghraib in Iraq (2004), and Guantanamo in Cuba region (since 2003 until now) are some of the major factors which have turned the world into a lawless, and unjust.
Thought, attitude, action, and behavior of USA, Israel, and NATO government to destruction moslems region, and killing several hundred thousand moslems people of the world, have described about their religion quality. For this, God (Allah) punish their with economic collapse in 2008. The Holy Qur'an is explicit in this regard as God (Allah) has stated, "Truly, the religion on the sight of Allah is Islam" (Qur'an 3:19).
In another verse of The Holy Qur'an, God (Allah) has stated, "And whosoever desire a religion other that Islam, never will it accepted of him/her, and in the hereafter he/she will be in the ranks of those who are lost" (Qur'an 3:85). God (Allah) has stated in The Holy Qur'an, "And to thee. We have sent The Book (The Holy Qur'an) in truth. This Qur'an confirming the scripture that came before it, and a witness over it" (Qur'an 5:48).
Islamic economics, unlike its Western counterpart, is a value driven discipline replete with moral values that limits individual's consumption, and imposes significant social and religious responsibilities on individuals as guardian of the natural environment for future generations. Islamic economics is a value driven discipline. Individual moslem's choices are subordinate to the collective interests of a larger Islamic community. Accordingly, the collectivist social and religious norms of Islam guide the economic behavior of individual moslems. Hence, homo Islamicus, unlike its counterpart homo economicus, must be a paragon of values.
Islamic economics begins with the abundance of resources and assumes the limited needs of individuals. Accordingly, the problem of scarcity in classical economics is due to unnatural assumption of unlimited needs created by artificial means such as advertising. Islam imposes legal and moral restrictions on totality of human behavior, including individual's needs. Islam as a comprehensive way of life, embraces the totality of moslem's conducts, including their economic transactions. Individual moslem's freedom is always bounded by his/her social and religious responsibilities.
Moslems are free, but they a responsible to God (Allah) and other moslems for their actions. As a result, freedom and responsibility are the two sides of one coin in Islam. Social and religious responsibilities are the constraints imposed on moslems behavior, including their economic behavior. Islamic norms of behavior such as justice (Qur'an 5:8), moderation (Qur'an 17:29), charity (Qur'an 57:7), and waste avoidance (Qur'an 7:31) are the restriction that are meant to change the innate selfish nature of man to altruistic and compassionate economic behavior.
Hence, homo Islamicus, unlike its counterpart homo economicus, must be a paragon of values.

3 komentar:

oldgianni mengatakan...

A very good post! God bless you!
Salam alekum

joe moors mengatakan...

Hello friend,

God bless you. Though we may not always see the same side of things, I can find some very personally disturbing yet insightful truth in the things that you write. It is interesting to me that you write about the economics of a Muslim world versus the economics of a "western world". I myself have just recently been very convicted about my own finances. To the point that I am working hard to bring them to a surrendered state from a biblical standpoint. I am a christian. I do beleive however that this does not make us enemies. In fact, on behalf of the american christian church, or atleast those who truly walk in the love of Christ, I apologize for the negative stigmatizms that have been drawn and focused on your people as a muslim culture. I do apologize because I myself at one point thought that the treatment and torture of your people in guantanamo bay was just, but truth be told, it was NOT godly. It was NOT loving, let alone humane. I extend my deepest apologies and humbly ask your forgiveness for the actions of my fellow countrymen towards yours, regardless of the reason. Now... Back to economics.

As I stated, I have been recently convicted of my current economic state. I have realized that in America, most of us have absolutely NO idea what the word "moderation" means. The bible teaches, I'm sure somewhat like the Koran (please forgive my ignorant spelling of your religious book), that "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." This is true in our day and age, especially here in America. I do love my country and I take pride in being an American citizen, we are however for the most part VERY spoiled. I see people, much like myself who view property and american toys as a status to be attained. I myself have been guilty of this very thing, where it not for the grace of God, I would not even know an offense had been committed. However, many people place their sole worth, or the vast majority of it towards "the American dream." Which used to mean bettering oneself in an effort to bless your neighbor. Today however it just means bettering oneself. This is a very dangerous thing, because what happens is that one becomes focused on the material of life, instead of the essence of life. When that happens one finds their sole value and self-worth in the things of this world, which are temporary and unsure, rather than the things of God which are eternal and meaningful. I do beleive differently than you on some key points, however I have respect and acknowledge the value of your beleifs as pertains to homo islamicus versus the paragon of homo economicus.

Peace to you my friend. Thanks for reading my blog and commenting on it. Yours is very interesting as well and I hope you find this discourse a blessing as I do.

God bless.

Joe Moors

http://www.sufferingtogether.blogspot.com

ARISTIONO NUGROHO mengatakan...

Dear friend,
Oldgianni and Joe Moors,
Peace, and thanks for your comment.
I know that we have different perspective about this article.
But, I think we can be friend (brother), who co-operate to contribute for the world be better.
Thanks..., and peace...