Azyumardi Azra, CBE
Profesor Sejarah dan Kebudayaan UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta
Islam and Development: Reality of the Muslim World
- Most of the Islamic world is left behind in terms of development;
- A good number of Muslim countries are among the poorest in the world;
- Only a handful Muslim countries are among the emerging countries;
- No Muslim country is included among the advanced country;
- Some the so-called rich Muslim countries in the Middle East are too dependent on oil and gas—no diversification of economies like manufacture or agriculture;
- These Muslim countries are on the edge of ‘oil curse’.
Islam and Development: Causes of Underdevelopment
- Continuing internal conflicts in one single Muslim country and between a group of Muslim countries;
- Continuing authoritarianism in many countries, giving no room for civil society to play its role in development;
- Strong political, tribal, and religious sectarianism within one particular country and between several countries;
- Traces of European colonialism that now is continuing with the interference of major power in a single country and in the area as a whole;
- The existence of longe duree political and economic structures that inhibit development.
Islam and Development: Misperception
- Certain teachings of Islam regarded as ‘obstacles’ to development;
- Strong emphasis of life in the hereafter rather than worldly life;
- The predominant theology of predestination of the Ash’ariyah-Jabariyah—many Muslims are opposed to a more rational theology like Mu’tazilah, teaching free-will and free-act;
- Strong influence of tasawwuf (Sufism) with strong orientation to ascetism (zuhud);
- Low work ethics to pursue better worldly life;
- Much spending on religious obligations such as obligatory alms (zakah), hajj pilgrimage—inhibit accumulation of capital or wealth.
Islam and Sustainable Development
- Islamic concept of [sustainable] development is basically theocentric, not anthropocentric as practiced by the Western world;
- Human being was created as vicegerent (khalifah) on earth in order to develop it to achieve prosperity (QS 38:26, 2:30-32);
- At the same time, human being is created to perform ‘ibadah, worship Allah through obligatory rituals (‘ibadah mahdah) and good deeds (amal salih) in all aspects of daily life (QS 51:56);
- Prosperity achieved in [sustainable] development should be used as much as for greater benefit all human beings, not limited to Muslims only (QS al-Hud 11:61).
- Development should create balance in economy, social and environment—overcoming inbalance and inequality (QS 67:1-3);
- All natural resources are provided by Allah for benefit of all human being (QS 2:60);
- All natural resources and revenues coming from them should be used to create equality and justice among people (QS 55:7-9);
- Development should preserve environment and eco-system in order to sustain the decent life of human being (QS 28:77, 5:33, 13:25, 7:74, 85).
- ALL SDG’S 17 GOALS AND 169 TARGETS ARE IN LINE WITH ISLAM
- Development should achieve: 1.No poverty; 2.Zero hunger; 3.Good health and well-being; 4.Quality education; 5.Gender equality; 6.Clean water and sanitation; 7.Affordable and clean energy; 8.Decent work and economic growth; 9.Industry, innovation and infrastructure; 10.Reduced inequality; 11.Sustainable cities and communities; 12.Responsible consumption and production; 13.Climate action; 14.Life below water; 15.Life on land; 16.Peace and justice strong institutions; 17.Partneship to achieve goals.
Islam and Sustainable Development: Prohibition
- Destruction of environment and eco-system;
- Existence of imbalance and unequal societies;
- Social and gender discrimination;
- Economic injustices and unemployment;
- Control of natural resources by limited number of political elite and the powerful;
- Intolerance and disharmony among people because of religious, racial, social and cultural differences;
- Absence of good/quality universal education.
*Presented at International Webinar Organized by International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization, International Islamic University Malaysia ISTAC IIUM) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 14 January, 2021.
Penyunting: Nirwansyah
