The Economic System of Islam — Page 90
90 government property. Similarly, in Egypt, original landowners were left in possession of the land. In short, in the shape given to the Islamic Order at the outset, it was recognised that vacant lands that came under Muslim authority in conquered territories were to remain in the State’s hands and be used in the general interest of all, instead of being distributed among the top leadership. This was done to avoid the emergence of a landed aristocracy, as happened in Europe. During later periods, it is true, the Islamic teaching was not fully observed, but Muslim rul- ers were never altogether freed from its influence. In India, too, when the Muslim rule came to the country, the land was left with the old owners whose tenure was preserved. Only vacant land was taken over by the State. All of the large estates found in India today were created later under the British rule. The new rulers were eager to settle matters and gain influence in the country, regardless of whether this was achieved through favour or fear. In most cases, the new governments in Bengal and Uttar Pradesh bestowed title to the tehsildars [tax collecting agents] over areas found in their jurisdic- tion. This was a terrible injustice to the real owners of those lands. Thus, the Islamic system applies to land ownership in a manner similar to its application in other economic spheres, i. e. , there is no place for large land owners and the government cannot create a class of large land owners by redistributing state land. It is another matter that a person might purchase additional land, but there is not much scope for this either. If it is a trader, he is unlikely to purchase land as he might make more money in trade. If he is al- ready a landowner, his means to purchase additional land are in any case limited and not significant enough to harm the country’s economic condition. Furthermore, thanks to the laws of inheri-