دورِ حاضر میں اسلامی و غیر اسلامی تعریفاتِ معاشیات: تقابلی مطالعہ

CONTEMPORARY DEFINITIONS OF ECONOMICS IN ISLAMIC AND NON-ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Abstract

This research article provides a comprehensive comparative analysis of the definitions of economics in contemporary times from both Islamic and non-Islamic (Western) perspectives, along with their philosophical foundations and practical implications. The study explores how Islamic economics is rooted in divine guidance, moral responsibility, and the holistic concept of human welfare (Falah), which encompasses both worldly prosperity and eternal salvation. Prominent Muslim scholars such as Imam Muhammad al-Shaybani, Ibn Khaldun, Shah Waliullah, and modern thinkers like Muhammad Akram Khan have presented economics as a system of ethical livelihood, distributive justice, and collective cooperation based on the Qur'an and Sunnah. In contrast, Western economics, as defined by Adam Smith, Alfred Marshall, and Lionel Robbins, centers on material wealth, utility maximization, and resource allocation without any spiritual or ethical framework. The article concludes that while Western economics focuses solely on worldly gains and individual interest, Islamic economics aims at establishing a just, balanced, and God-conscious society. The paper ultimately advocates that the path to true and sustainable economic well-being lies in adopting the values and principles of Islamic economics.