The Economic System 31
through persuasion if possible, coercion if necessary. The suffi cient condi-
tion requires that the rules of conduct are enforced universally in all cases
irrespective of circumstances and/or consequences. The degree of effective-
ness of rule enforcement is determined by the degree to which the objective
of achieving social justice becomes an integral part of the subjective interior-
ity of the members of the society.
The stronger the compliance by individuals in the society, the more
self-sustaining and self-enforcing the rules become. For this outcome to be
attained, the rules must be internalized by individuals as endogenous ele-
ments of their own minds which fi nd external expression when the rules
become shared beliefs among individuals in the society. The stronger are the
shared beliefs, the stronger would be the coordinated collective actions and
the more stable the society.
The Qur’an makes clear that rule compliance is the guarantor of social
justice, social cohesion, unity and order in any human collectivity (Qur’an
5:2; 3:103; 8:46). This is so central among the objectives of the meta-
framework that it can be claimed that all rules of behavior prescribed are
those that lead to social justice, integration, cohesion, solidarity and unity.
Conversely, all prohibited behavior is that which ultimately leads to social
injustice and disintegration. Central among the rules that constitute the
institutional structure of the ideal economy are rules governing property;
production, exchange, distribution and redistribution; and market conduct,
as discussed below.
Rules of Conduct and the Social Order The function of rules of conduct is to pro-
vide the means by which individuals can overcome the obstacles presented
by their ignorance of particular facts that must exist to determine overall
justice in the social order. Rules specify what kind of conduct is appropri-
ate in certain circumstances. Rules are specifi c means to specifi c ends. They
are, essentially, restrictions on what individual members of society may do
without upsetting the social order. All individuals count on the social order
in deciding on their individual choices and actions. Therefore, rules should
guide individuals in their actions. If emotions and impulses tell them what
they want, the rules tell them whether or not they can have it and how they
will be able and allowed to get it. Additionally and importantly, observance
of rules of conduct integrates individuals into society. Rules serve to prevent
confl icts, reconcile differences and facilitate cooperation among individuals.
Compliance with them promotes social integration and unity and preserves
the intended social order.
Enforcement Mechanism The enforcement characteristics of Islamic rules are
that each and every individual is made responsible for knowing the rules
for themselves and then for ensuring that others know them as well. The
enforcement mechanism is embodied in the most important of all social
duties for Muslims—to ensure that all individuals are both familiar with
and comply with the rules of just conduct prescribed by Islam.