The Economic System of Islam — Page 50
50 the buildings built for the benefit of public at large, no matter how tall and big, are not against Islamic teachings. It is the expenditure on things beyond one’s reasonable needs that is forbidden. Example of expenditures forbidden in the Holy Quran and hadith are: big buildings, large expenses on gardens to display wealth, over- indulgence in food and extravagance in the purchase of clothes, cars, horses, furniture, etc. By limiting the scope of what one might spend on, Islam limits the need for accumulating wealth. Spending Money to Gain Political Power Forbidden Islam similarly forbids passing on political power to individuals solely because of their wealth. I have already spoken about the Quranic injunction: ‘to make over the trusts to those entitled to them’, meaning that we should only accord authority to those who are best able to hold office regardless of their economic status. Thus, Islam reproves accumulation of wealth in order to gain po- litical power or high office. It instructs Muslims to elect people solely on the basis of merit and not to be swayed by wealth and high social or economic status. Greed for Wealth Accumulation Curbed Then there are people who accumulate wealth for its own sake. Islam disapproves of this tendency too. As stated in the Quran: 20 20 S u rah at-Taubah , 9:34 – 35, (publishers)