6. Economic System of Islam in the Light of Social Justice

Book reference: p.122/124 — "Explain the Economic System of Islam in the Light of Social Justice"; "Element of Social Justice of Islam."

Core Principle

'Adl (justice) and Ihsan (excellence/generosity beyond bare justice) together form the ethical basis of the Islamic economy (16:90).

Zakah — mandatory redistribution from wealthy to needy (see Theme I).
Inheritance laws — automatic, fixed distribution of wealth across generations and relatives, preventing dynastic concentration.
Prohibition of Riba — prevents exploitative, one-sided wealth transfer from borrower to lender.
Prohibition of hoarding (Ihtikar) — keeps wealth circulating and productive.
Waqf (charitable endowment) — permanent, self-sustaining channel of social welfare (hospitals, schools, wells).
Right to work and fair wages — "Give the labourer his wages before his sweat dries" (Sunan Ibn Majah).

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كَيْ لَا يَكُونَ دُولَةً بَيْنَ الْأَغْنِيَاءِ مِنْكُمْ

اردو: تاکہ وہ (مال) صرف امیروں ہی کے درمیان گردش نہ ہوتا رہے۔

English: "So that it will not be a perpetual distribution among the rich among you."

— Surah Al-Hashr 59:7

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ

اردو: بےشک اللہ عدل، احسان اور رشتہ داروں کو دینے کا حکم دیتا ہے۔

English: "Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives."

— Surah An-Nahl 16:90

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أَعْطُوا الْأَجِيرَ أَجْرَهُ قَبْلَ أَن يَجِفَّ عَرَقُهُ

اردو: مزدور کو اس کی اجرت اس کے پسینے خشک ہونے سے پہلے دے دو۔

English: "Give the worker his wages before his sweat dries."

— Sunan Ibn Majah 2443

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Explain the Economic System of Islam in the Light of Social Justice.
What are the essential features/elements of social justice in Islam?
Cross-reference: Islamic Financial and Economic System, Basic Principles of the Economic System, Zakat (Theme I).