40 AN INTRODUCTION TO ISLAMIC FINANCE
Work, therefore, is regarded not only as a right, but also as a duty and an
obligation. Hence, based on its notion of individual rights and responsibilities,
Islam extends to the individual the right to choose the type of work they desire,
but along with this freedom comes the obligation to consider the needs of the
society as well as the selection of the type of work permitted by the Shari’ah.
Since all class distinctions are negated by Islam, no line of work permis-
sible by the Shari’ah is considered demeaning by Islam, which countenances
only diversifi cation on the basis of natural talents, skills and technology—
which are considered to be a grace or blessing (fadl) from Allah (swt) and which
all Muslims are urged to acquire—or personal inclinations. Based on its con-
cepts of justice and contracts, Islam makes it an obligation for the worker to
perform the tasks which he has contracted to the best of his ability. But since
individuals are endowed with different abilities and talents, this productivity
will differ. Justice, however, demands that the return for every individual’s
work must be commensurate with his/her productivity.
While Islam has, in no uncertain terms, decried laziness, idleness, and
socially unproductive work, it maintains that those who are physically or
mentally unable to work still retain a right to what the society, individu-
ally and collectively, produces. This conclusion is based on the principle of
invariant claim to ownership, which maintains that all human beings have
a right to the resources provided for mankind. Since Allah (swt) is also
the source of the physical and mental abilities that enable some members
of society to possess more than others, the right of ownership to the original
resources of those less able remains valid. This follows from the fact that
Allah’s (swt) original right of ownership of resources, which He has created,
is not negated when they, along with the creative labor of individuals, are
transformed into products, property and wealth.
The Accumulation and Utilization of Wealth
Islam encourages man to utilize, to the fullest extent possible, all the
resources that Allah (swt) has created and entrusted for his use. The non-
utilization of these benefi cial resources is tantamount to ingratitude. Wealth
is considered an important means by which man can pave the way for the
attainment of his ultimate objective. Islam refers to wealth as “good,” an
object of delight and pleasure, and a support for the community. Conversely,
involuntary poverty is considered to be undesirable and a basis of unbelief.
This particular conception of wealth, however, is qualifi ed by the means
employed in its earning, possession, and disposal.
Its “earning” is qualifi ed by the emphasis put on the fact that wealth is
only a means for the achievement of man’s ultimate objective and not an end
in itself. It must be earned through “good,” “productive,” and “benefi cial”
work, as defi ned in the Shari’ah, which also defi nes the methods of lawfully
earning wealth. Not only are lawful methods of earning wealth specifi ed,
but the types of economic activity that may lead to unlawfully acquired wealth
and are prohibited are also set out. The Shari’ah specifi es non-permissible