Islam, Property and Philanthropy: Ethical and Philosophical Foundations and Cultural Influences

Abstract

This chapter is to comprehend and highlight essential aspects of philanthropy in Islam that are likely to benefit human security emphasising the ethical principles of property and human relationships. To contextualise the discussion, the chapter deals with the concepts of ethics and property in Islam. The first section (‘Islamic ethical principles influencing human relationships or muamalat’) deals with the principles of ‘public benefit’ (maslahah). The second section (property and economic relationships in Islam) in three sections deals with ‘private property and public interests in Islam’, ‘principles and conditions of profit making in Islam’, and ‘property, gift and inheritance’. The following section (‘philanthropy in Islam’) deals with the fundamental, and essential features, of obligatory charity as codified in Islam. The chapter argues that Islam promotes purposive strategic philanthropy that may ensure human security even in the modern world. It concludes that the principles and instruments of human security as propounded in Islam have varied interpretations and manifestations resulting from flexibility in Islamic jurisprudence, thus Muslim philanthropy and human security in MMCs are influenced by local ‘cultural phenomenon’ and destined to be different across MMCs.