392 chapter nine
public ownership, with the latter given a particularly influential
role in the Islamic economic development literature.
(6) In as far as the financing of economic development is concerned,
Islam allows a variety of sources, public and private, with par-
ticular emphasis on the maintenance of economic surpluses.
(7) Rational economic planning is a prerequisite for Islamic eco-
nomic development.
(8) The just allocation of income and wealth is an essential part of
Islamic development, so as to provide a minimum level of neces-
sities, while, simultaneously, acknowledging the inevitable differences
among the levels of income and wealth in society.
Two points carry particular significance in the above summary of
conclusions: Donia emphasises that, first, on the production side the
responsibility for economic development is a joint responsibility
between the state and individuals, not on the state alone, and, sec-
ond, on the distribution side the individual can be as rich as they
are able to be with no limitation except for one condition: the poor
should be provided for, at least at the minimum level of subsistence.
Moreover, labour has to be aimed at what is beneficial to society,
production to be directed in a similar fashion and the overall right-
eousness of the community must prevail.
Now we turn our attention to looking into one of the distinguished
pieces of work, of a renowned Sharì"ah scholar whose writing on
the subject is widely admired among his contemporary, as well as
amongst Islamic economists. This is the work of Bàqir al-Sadr,
Iqtisàduna.
Bàqir al-Sadr
Iqtisàduna, Our Economics
The reason for singling out Bàqir al-Sadr’s “Our Economics” for spe-
cial analysis and for giving the work emphasis in this book is clear.
First, al-Sadr was a Shi"ìscholar and we have not so far had much
opportunity to explore the work of a Shi"ì in Islamic economics.
Second, Our Economics has not enjoyed the popularity that other
works of Sadr’s contemporaries have had, (Wilson, 1998). Third, the
work merits admiration and appreciation in thought, approach and
scope. Fourth, al-Sadr wrote his work, and lived most of his life,