Development and culture : a case study of the role of cultural doctrines of Islam in economic development

Abstract EN

The study of the role of religious beliefs in economic development has been one of the challenging issues in the literature of development since the past times up to this day.

this issue has given rise to several disputes specifically in the case of Islamic religion.

some thinkers (mostly western) have suggested that Islam is void of any required potentiality for advancement and development.

they have referred to the emphasis that Islam puts on the otherworld which in turn is preceded by the negligence of the worldly affairs.

but a deeper view of Islamic doctrines reveal the attention paid in this religion to worldly affairs in general and development in particular.

given these perspectives, the current essay seeks to discuss the question whether Islam has the required potentiality for advancement and economic development ? the research data suggest that Islam has provided the required contexts for the realization of economic development in Muslim societies by laying emphasis on such categories as avoiding dissipation and squandering, collective work, persistence, encouragement of work and avoiding indolence, social and economic equality, order and human capability.