Economic Security in Islam

by Yusuf Al-Qaradawi

This book is an English rendering of a popular Arabic book entitled Mushkala al-Faqr wa Kaifa 'Aljiha al-Islam by the renowned Muslim Scholar 'Yusuf al-Qaradawi. The author depicts the basic principles of the Islamic Economic System in the light of the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah.

He also offers a comparative study of the economic systems functioning under the three ideologies viz., Communism, Capitalism and Islam, contrasting them objectively and establishing the superiority of the latter with convincing arguments. Capitalistic and Communism Ideologies have proven to be lacking in giving mankind the much needed peace and security. These ideologies are rather fatal in the peace and progress of humanity.

While the Economic System gifted by Islam, like its laws and orders are relevant to all other social disciplines, can safely be called universal law. It works in any kind of society. It is a system of brotherhood and mutual love and affection. It never favours class-struggle and hatred. It provides real peace, safety and tranquility to mankind.

203 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Yusuf Al-Qaradawi (Arabic: يوسف القرضاوي) is an Egyptian Islamic theologian. He is best known for his programme, ash-Shariah wal-Hayat ("Shariah and Life"), broadcast on Al Jazeera, which has an estimated audience of 40 million worldwide. He is also well-known for IslamOnline, a popular website he helped found in 1997 and for which he now serves as chief religious scholar. Al-Qaradawi has also published more than 80 books, including The Lawful and the Prohibited in Islam and Islam: The Future Civilization. He has also received eight international prizes for his contributions to Islamic scholarship, and is considered one of the most influential such scholars living today. Al-Qaradawi has long had a prominent role within the intellectual leadership of the Muslim Brotherhood, an Egyptian political organization, but twice (in 1976 and 2004) turned down offers for the official role in the organization. A 2008 Foreign Policy magazine poll placed al-Qaradawi at number three on its list of the top 20 public intellectuals worldwide.

Some of al-Qaradawi's views have been controversial in the West, and he is banned from entering the United States, Israel and Great Britain. In 2004, 2,500 Muslim academics from Saudi Arabia, Iraq and from the Palestinian territories condemned Qaradawi, and accused him of giving "Islam a bad name."

As of 2004, al-Qaradawi was a trustee of the Oxford University Center for Islamic Studies. He also served as a technical consultant for a multi-million dollar epic movie in English on Muhammad.

alternative spellings
يوسف القرضاوي
Yusuf Al-Qaradawi
Yusuf El-Karadâvi

Reviews

[Mohamed Asraf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Economic Security in Islam by Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi offers a timeless critique of both capitalism and communism, showing how neither system can truly bring peace and security to humanity. The book reminds readers that poverty is not just a lack of wealth but a disease that breaks human bonds and pushes people beyond moral limits.

He beautifully explains that God bestows sustenance to man through man, emphasizing mutual responsibility in society. He quotes scholars like Al-Ghazali, who viewed trade and industry as necessities, showing that Islam encourages productivity and ethical enterprise.

The book highlights that true richness lies in the heart, not in material possessions, and that man is only a custodian of God’s wealth, not its owner. Poverty, he argues, cannot be solved by handing out bread or coins, it must be addressed by empowering the poor with lasting means of income.

He also recalls the reign of Caliph Umar ibn Abdul Aziz, when justice and fair governance made the people so prosperous that there were no poor left to receive charity. He also made a strong case for Zakat.

An inspiring and deeply reflective read that shows how Islam’s economic goals that promotes justice, dignity, and balance for all.

[Mohd Ashraf · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made a strong case for Zakat, Waqaf, and Alms Giving as parts of the state's economy.

[EElmira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book because it was a part of my MBA "review a book" assignment. I thought it would bore at first but after diving into several pages, I realise I was too ignorant on this topic and little did I know about the main function of zakat or alms, which is not just to help the poor and needy but at a bigger scale, lift and strengthen the development of the entire ummah. The goal was to support people to get out of poverty as poverty can also cause disobedience to Allah. Qardhawi also mentioned other unexpected non-financial benefits. Even during the time of sahabah, there was a systematic distribution zakat and was not blindly distributed. In the end, the whole purpose is to uphold the social justice so that the whole society enjoys a healthy economy.