The Islamic Welfare State: the Basic Imperatives Towards a Better Society

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THE ISLAMIC WELFARE STATE: The Basic Imperatives toward a Better Society. U. M. Gummi E-mail: muhammadgummiu@gmail.com Abstract The natural worth of anything consists in its fitness to supply the necessities and serve the conveniences of human needs. Welfare state always strives to put in place the necessary impetus that will ensure the material and spiritual wellbeing of people in its domain. Islamic Welfare State (IWS) mould the social, economic, cultural and political engagements as a complementary whole guided by the basic principles (Sharia), to establish a society where justice, equity and economic prosperity are prominent, as well as rape the benefits of this life and the next. This paper seeks to examine the interrelationship between the political and economic contents of the Islamic way of life and discusses the nature and functions of the Islamic State toward peoples’ wellbeing in the light of basic imperatives (principles) within the framework of financial constraints. Introduction It is all said and done the efficacy of Islamic Welfare State, is to surrender Maslaha (public welfare) to its people. Islamic economics strives to ensure the necessary mechanisms and imperatives are put in place with Shari’ah guidance to achieve material and spiritual welfare of the people (Chapra, 2002). Islam has a set of goals and values encompassing all aspect of human life including social, economic and political. Since all aspects of life are interdependent and the Islamic way of life is a consistent whole, its goals and values in one field determine the goals and values in the other fields as well. Ensuring Islamic Welfare State (pre-conditions) The basic imperatives or pre-conditions for ensuring Islamic welfare state are; a. Authority and Organization (the state) Islam condemns anarchy and disorder in society. Therefore, the Qur’an (2:205) and the

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