Islamic Foundations of a Free Society

Description

CONTENTS

Kathya Berrada and Nouh El Harmouzi, The contributions of the authors.              

The condition of social, political and economic thinking in the Islamic world. From a classical liberal perspective. Atilla Yayla and Bican Sahin                              

Reason versus tradition, free will versus fate, interpretation versus literalism: intellectual underpinnings of the negative outlook for the Muslim world. Mustafa Acar

INTRODUCTION                                                                                                             

Welfare beyond the state: ‘ihsani’ societal-based welfare       

Maszlee Malik           

The individual, freedom of choice and tolerance in the Quran

Azhar Aslam

Economic freedom: the path to women’s emancipation in the

Middle” ‘East and North Africa (MENA) region Souad Adnane

Jihad and political change: a perspective based on Quranic sources

M.A. Muqtedar Khan

Islam and politics today: the reasons for the rise of jihadism

Hasan Yiicel Basdemir

Islam and a free-market economy: are they compatible?

Hicham El Moussaoui                                                                                     

Islamic finances: between the reality and the ideal

Youcef Maouchi                                                                                           

ABOUT THE BOOK

Islam is growing rapidly both in its traditional homelands and in the West. Some in the West view Islam with a mixture of fear and suspicion. However, it tis also fair to say that there is widespread ignorance about Islam, and especially about its relationship to political systems and the economy.

Is Islam compatible with a free society and a free economy? Is the fact that many Muslim-majority state do not have free economies or polities a result of an incompatibility between Islam and political and economic freedom, or does it result form an unfortunate series of historical events? What role has past colonialism played in encouraging Muslim extremism? Exactly what does Islam have to say about freedom in economic, political and religious life?

This book, written by a range of Islamic Scholars, sheds a great deal of light on these crucial questions. It is an important book for those in the West who need to understand Islam better. It is also important for those in Muslim countries who can influence the development of political systems and economic policy.