By Suheil al-Ahmad

The Shariah provisions have always placed great importance on human beings and their developmental needs, striving to fulfill their purpose and highlight the positive role they play in serving humanity and various communities. These provisions aim to build and stabilize interests, prevent harm, and minimize its existence. Given their capabilities, developmental programs, and Shariah rulings, they work towards this purpose, fulfilling their responsibilities from all human, social, and economic aspects. All of this is done with the goal of catering to people's interests, facilitating their lives, and achieving their happiness in this world and the hereafter, ultimately realizing the objective of development, supporting it, and establishing its stable, permanent foundations.

Development is one of the most crucial areas that contribute to combating poverty and distributing wealth, as it is one of the objectives of investment in the Islamic context. Development entails the continuous commitment of businesses to act and contribute towards achieving development and improving the living conditions for the Islamic community.

While the term "development" as we understand it today is not explicitly mentioned in the Quran or the Prophetic Sunnah, there are numerous terms that imply growth or development, such as: reconstruction, seeking Allah's bounty, striving on Earth, improving and reviving the land without causing corruption, living a good life, and empowerment. The terms "construction" and "reconstruction" are the closest expressions of development in the Islamic context, as in the Quranic verse: "It is He who produced you from the Earth and settled you in it" (Surah Hud, 11:61). "And settled you in it" means making you inhabitants and builders of the land.

Development is based on maximizing an individual's potential to achieve a certain standard of living, with a foundation of organized change that adheres to Islamic legislation, rules, and regulations. This is accomplished by providing suitable resources for human beings in terms of wealth, education, health, housing, employment, and other areas, as well as eliminating exploitation and unequal opportunities. All of this is done to preserve human dignity, as humans are considered Allah's vicegerents on Earth, and to achieve justice.

Islam encourages the utilization and investment of wealth, and it advocates against hoarding money. There are clear and evident texts that demonstrate this and emphasize the developmental dimension, such as the following:

• The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "There is none amongst the Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, but is regarded as a charitable gift for him" (Bukhari).
• The Prophet (PBUH) also said, "He who cultivates land that does not belong to anybody is more rightful (to own it)" (Abu Dawud).
• The Prophet (PBUH) said, "Whoever has land should cultivate it himself or give it to his (Muslim) brother gratis; otherwise keep it uncultivated" (Ahmad).
• Narrated by Abu Huraira, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "When a man dies, his acts come to an end, but three, recurring charity, or knowledge (by which people) benefit, or a pious son, who prays for him (for the deceased)" (Muslim).
• The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "No meal eaten by one of you is better than the meal he eats from the work of his own hands. Verily, the Prophet of Allah, David, upon him be peace, would eat from the work of his own hands" (Bukhari).
• The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "There is none amongst the Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, but is regarded as a charitable gift for him" (Ahmad).
• The Prophet (PBUH) said, "It is better for anyone of you to take a rope (and cut) and bring a bundle of wood (from the forest) over his back and sell it and Allah will save his face (from the Hell-Fire) because of that, rather than to ask the people who may give him or not" (Bukhari).
• The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "The upper hand is better than the lower hand; the upper hand is the one that gives, and the lower hand is the one that asks" (Bukhari).

These clear texts establish the principles and foundations for achieving the philosophy of work, change, and development. They encourage hard work and undertaking the necessary tasks to achieve both personal and public interests, without waiting for others to do them. Furthermore, they highlight the merit of taking the initiative in fulfilling the responsibility of stewardship and development of the earth, contrasting those who do not set development and the fulfillment of their responsibilities according to their life programs.

In conclusion, the pursuit of economic development from an Islamic perspective encompasses a holistic approach that addresses individual efforts, institutional frameworks, and the empowerment of all members of society. By adhering to the teachings of Islam and fostering an environment that encourages hard work, innovation, and social justice, we can build a prosperous and sustainable future for all.