History books recount that one day, the Caliph of the Muslims, Harun al-Rashid, looked up at a cloud in the middle of the sky and addressed it, saying: “O cloud, rain wherever you wish, for your revenue will come to me.” (1)
Though this statement is brief, it is significant in meaning. It expresses the extent of Islamic power and control over the earth, regardless of its vastness and expansiveness. Wherever the winds carry the cloud, it will rain on land governed by Muslims, and its blessings will return to the treasury of the Muslim state.
If we reflect on this statement and its real implications, we realize that adhering to Islam has led to the spread of its authority and benefits across the earth. How was this achieved? And can adherence to Islam lead us to such flourishing economic growth?
The answer is yes, as evidenced by the following:
Firstly: Islam Advocates for Urban Development
In the Quran, Allah has made man a successor on earth to reform and build it and to establish justice, as stated in His words: “He has produced you from the earth and settled you in it.” (Hud: 61); meaning, He created you to develop it, which includes agriculture, planting, and digging canals, among other things. (2)
This is an invitation to urbanization. Allah also clarified that He has enabled man on earth and made provisions for his sustenance, as stated: “And We have certainly established you upon the earth and made for you therein ways of livelihood. Little are you grateful.” (Al-A'raf: 10); meaning, He has facilitated control over the earth through development and growth.
Allah also called upon us to scatter in the land and seek His bounty: “And when the prayer has been concluded, disperse within the land and seek from the bounty of Allah, and remember Allah often that you may succeed.” (Al-Jumu'ah: 10)
Due to the importance of urban development and the pursuit of livelihood, Islam equates those who strive for economic activity with those who strive in the cause of Allah, as evidenced in His words: “And others traveling throughout the land seeking [something] of the bounty of Allah, and others fighting for the cause of Allah. So recite what is easy [from it].” (Al-Muzzammil: 20)
These various Quranic ayahs emphasize that Islam calls for work and the pursuit of livelihood to achieve development and economic abundance. Whoever adheres to this has obeyed Allah and will be rewarded, while those who neglect it will face consequences. Considering the state of a Muslim who listens to these commands, one can only conclude that a Muslim is driven to work, build, and achieve economic prosperity out of faith and devotion to Allah.
Secondly: Adherence to Religion Preserves the Ethics of Economic Development
Islam obligates people to adhere to values that contribute to strong economic construction, ensuring sufficiency and welfare for its followers, such as the excellence of work and the improvement of production in quantity and quality. Islam considers this a trust and a means to draw closer to Allah, as Allah says, “And you will surely be questioned about what you used to do.” (An-Nahl: 93), “And stop them; indeed, they are to be questioned.” (As-Saffat: 24), “Indeed, We will not allow to be lost the reward of the reformers.” (Al-A'raf: 170), “We will not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good.” (Yusuf: 56), “We will not allow to be lost the reward of any who did well in deeds.” (Al-Kahf: 30)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) urged the perfection of work. In Sahih Al-Jami', Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Allah loves that when one of you does something, you do it well.”
Islam also encourages continuous work and production, even if the worker does not directly benefit from it, he is rewarded by Allah for it. Al-Bukhari and Muslim narrated from Anas ibn Malik that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Never does a Muslim plant trees or cultivate land and birds or a man eat out of them but that is a charity on his behalf.”
Islam even affirms that a Muslim's work in the economic field continues even if he is on the verge of death. If he can contribute to the welfare of others in this state, he should do so. Al-Bukhari narrated from Anas ibn Malik that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “If the Final Hour comes while you have a shoot of a plant in your hands and it is possible to plant it before the Hour comes, you should plant it.”
These ethics and duties contribute to achieving economic prosperity. If a Muslim adheres to his religion, he is driven to act on them to please his Lord and serve himself and his community.
Thirdly: Adherence to Religion Addresses the Obstacles to Economic Development
Economic development is not without obstacles and threats that hinder its progress and weaken its output. Islam urges its followers to abandon and confront these obstacles, prohibiting corruption on earth, theft, fraud, bribery, and extravagance. Allah describes His servants as moderate, saying: “And [they are] those who, when they spend, do so not excessively or sparingly but are ever, between that, [justly] moderate.” (Al-Furqan: 67), and He forbids extravagance and wastefulness, saying, “O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid, and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess.” (Al-A'raf: 31)
Allah also prohibits giving wealth to the foolish and wasting it, saying, “And do not give the weak-minded your property, which Allah has made a means of sustenance for you.” (An-Nisa': 5)
These directives preserve the value of economic activity and contribute to its abundance and prosperity.
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(1) Memories, by Ali Al-Tantawi (3/303), see also: The Inspiration of the Pen, by Al-Rafii (2/18).
(2) Tafsir al-Qurtubi (9/56).
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