SCIENTIFIC PAPER, TITLE: SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FROM AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

During past time, the developing countries applied the thought and theories of development formulated by western systems. The essence of this thought was to confirm that the progress of the developing countries cannot be possible unless to follow the same path that the advanced capitalist countries were followed in earlier stages of their development. Accelerating of development only done by replacing the culture, customs and values of the capitalist societies with the dominant culture, customs and values prevailing in developing countries. The aim of the study to clarify that the western thought and theories of development were failure in the developing countries. The results were negative. Poverty, hunger, unemployment, indebtedness increased, the gap between rich and poor countries widened further. The importance of the study is to confirm that the main reason of failure of the western theories of development in developing countries because they were imposed from above and neglected the identity moral and values of the developing nations. Finally, the study confirms that an Islamic perspective has given an overall vision of development. Development in an Islamic thought only understood within a specific social, values, material as well as spiritual life. Islam is keen on developing the man and his resources so that he can live a good and carefree life full of achievement to obtain the fruit of his good deeds in this world and the hereafter.