Islam and Schools of Economics
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Paperback - 160 pages booklet
By : Martyr Ayatullah Sayyid Muhammad Baqir as Sadr

Review:

In this conflicting world of power groupings torn apart between the propounders of Capitalism and Socialism, with a coterie of their ally-states either side geared up with nuclear bombs and ballastic missiles, present day man is in a fix groaning under heavy weight of materialism and atheism.

Bewildered in between these two extremes present day man is anxiously looking for a panacea of his ills. Indeed a panacea did come for the cure of ailing humanity some 14 centuries ago, which really uplifted man's station and stature. But since material forces have taken their upper hand, its significance became dormant and secondary.
The 2nd and 3rd quarters of the 20th century have witnessed a revival and renaissance of Islam as a world power wherein apart from material and political boost, Muslims are seen to have revived in themselves an intellectual boost as well. Genuine efforts have been made to mark their existence in the fields of science and literature. Among those big penmen also shines the brilliant name of Ayatullah Muhammad Baqir As Sadr. He has written a number of excellent and superb books which is a source of inspiration for generations to come.

The present book "Islam and Schools of Economics" a translation into English from Arabic original (al-Madrassa al Islamiyyah) is a preface penned by the same renowned author Ayatullah Muhammad Baqir al Sadr to his most acclaimed and highly consummated voluminous work "Iqtisaduna" (Our Economy), in which he deals with Islamic Economy in his own way without being least influenced or over-powered by western thinkers and scholars. "Our Economy" is a real contribution to the Muslim world.

The worth of the main book "Our Economy" can well be judged by the very fact that even its "Preface" i.e. "Islam and Schools of Economics" is so scholarly elevated and is technically so superior that it gives reply to most of the questions that can be raised about Islamic Economy.
There are various knotty questions in this context. The foremost among them is the question that whether there really existed anything like Islamic Economy. Inter-related with it are other questions that whether it is a School of Economics or a Science of Economics stand for and as a School of Economics is superior to them.

The learned author has thoroughly discussed both Capitalism and Socialism. Discussing Capitalism as a School of Economics, he elaborately dealt with all its attributes like four freedoms, Capitalistic and Materialistic Tendency, Evil Effects of Capitalism etc. and broadly reviewed its overall impact. He brings home the idea that behind the outwardly attractive face of Capitalism, there is really an ugly countenance of worst monopolisation of all resources and a switch over to the growth of colonialism under which tyranny weaker nations and teeming millions groan. In Capitalism stress is laid on "Individual" the elaboration of which becomes a curse to humanity in the shape of Capitalism. As against this the author also deals with Socialism or Communism as a School of Economics and fully evaluates its merits and demirits. Contrary to the prominence of "Individual" in Capitalism, the prominence of "State" is given in Socialism and in this way "Individual" is mutilated and crushed in the huge dragonish jaw of the "State".

In such a system there is a worst type of proletarian dictatorship and "Individual" becomes a dummy and a silent spectator shivering under the constant terror of sudden arrests, uncalled for lock-ups, illegal trials, unjust punishments and at times execution even. As against these two Schools of Economics wherein Production and Distribution factors are so unnaturally hampered, Islam as a School of Economics gives a balanced system of economy taking ample care of human freedom and welfare. The revered author has profusely quoted Qur'anic verses to corroborate his view and in so doing commands a wider impact.

The mood and temperament of the penmanship of the revered author is not only balanced, moderate and sublime but is convincingly sweet and serene. The most striking and exquisite quality of the book is that the author instead of being apologetic , timid or shaky before the so called western thought and erudition, is highly confident, composed and convinced in putting forth his own original thoughts so much so that the pseudo-aloftness and superiority of western philosophy and thinking become crystal clear and for an unbiased mind the middle course of Islam as a religion and a school of ecomonics becomes yet more clear.