32 chapter two
The Prophet was the head of the state assisted by his companions,
who remained with him in al-Medìnah. He was at all times within
the reach of his people, leading a modest life and often seen mend-
ing his own clothes. At the regional level, Prophet Muœammad
appointed a leader orimamwho was the religious deputy and the
chief-of-stafffor each province, and Qur"àn reciters who recited the
Qur"àn to people and taught them the details of the new religion.
Sources of the Islamic Economic ThoughtIslamic economic thought has evolved through the development of
Islamic law, the Sharì"ah. The law incorporates the rules of life for
Muslims economically, socially and religiously. It is a code for liv-
ing. As such, the Sharì"ah and the development of its sources are
worth studying before the economic issues are particularly addressed.
The Prophet’s life could be regarded as an important factor in
dividing the sources of Islamic law, the Sharì"ah, into two main
sources: those that were established by the Prophet himself during
his lifetime and the others which were derived by Muslims after his
death. The first source incorporates the Qur"àn and the Sunnah,
while the second encompasses the body of jurisprudence.
The Qur"àn
To Muslims, the Qur"àn is the word of God revealed to the Prophet
Muœammad by the Archangel Gabriel. It was revealed in fragmented
texts over a period of twenty three years, the preaching period of
the Prophet. The reason for the gradual revelation of the Qur"àn
could be said to be threefold: firstly, to allow early Muslims to study
it with deliberation. In this, the Qur"ànic verse says, “And it is a
Qur"àn that We have revealed in portions so that you may recite it
unto the people with deliberation”, (Qur"àn, 17:106). Secondly, the
texts contain several verses that ordain the change of the habitual
pattern of consumption to which the individual was accustomed. It
was recognised that the reform of an individual’s consumption pat-
tern might take time, and an individual would be permitted to rid
himself or herself of any undesirable habits in phases (Al-Khun, 1984).
This should be looked at in the light of the nature of life at that
time, in which promiscuity, gambling and the consumption of alco-