One of primary objectives of Islam is falah or well-being of the mankind in this world and in the next world. That is why al-Qur’an, the revealed book of Islam, admires those who pray to God : “Our Lord ! Give unto us in the world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and guard us from the doom of fire……” (Quran, Baqarah, 2 : 201)
The Islamic concept of falah is very comprehensive. It refers to spiritual, moral and socio-economic well-being in this world and success in the Hereafter. At micro level, falah refers to a situation where an individual is adequately provided for in respect of his basic needs, and enjoys necessary freedom and leisure to work for his spiritual and material advancement; whereas at macro level, it aims at establishment of an egalitarian and happy society with clean environment, with freedom from want and with opportunities to its members for progress in socio-political and religious affairs. Although welfare of the individual and the society does not necessarily lie only in economic prosperity because moral, cultural and socio-political advancement is equally important, but still Islam does not discourage achievement of material prosperity through fair means.
The concept of falah, in strictly economic field, refers to material well-being of the citizens of an Islamic state. The economic system of Islam, therefore, aims to achieve economic well-being and betterment of the people through equitable distribution of material resources and through establishment of social justice. Yet the basic objective of Islamic system remains the same which has been clearly laid down by the Qur’an thus : “But seek with (the wealth) which God has bestowed on thee, the home of the Hereafter, nor neglect thy portion in this world, but do thou good as God has been good to thee and seek not mischief in the land, for God loves not those who do mischief.”(28 : 77)
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