The Economic System of Islam — Page 37
37 The Islamic Economic System Upholding Individual Enterprise It should be kept in mind that of all religions, Islam places greatest emphasis on the life after death. As such, Islam insists that the eco- nomic order should allow the greatest scope to individual enter- prise. For an individual, by pursuing his will, has the possibility of improving his place in the life to come. The Islamic view is that if human life were reduced to a succession of compulsory acts, it would preclude free choice and a person could not be held account- able for his actions after death. For example, if a Muslim were com- pelled by the government to do a good deed, then in the Hereafter he could not claim credit for it. He would be told that it was his government, rather than him, that was responsible for his good deed. It therefore follows that a true Muslim, who understands the fundamentals of his faith, would never accept, as a matter of princi- ple, the suppression of individual freedom. It follows naturally from the above that Islam, in seeking to es- tablish a fair and just economic order, would proceed to do so on the basis of two fundamental principles. Voluntary Efforts to Rectify Inequities The first principle is that inequities in the distribution of resources and means of production should be rectified through voluntary sac- rifices on the part of members of society. On the one hand, this would contribute to the economic well-being of society; and on the