The Economic Problem Of Man And Its Islamic Solution

The Economic Problem Of Man And Its Islamic Solution
Author: S. Abul A'la Maududi
Publisher: Islamic Publications Ltd. (Lahore, Pakistan)
Edition: 5 (September 1978)
Copyright: Islamic Publications Ltd., Lahore


NOTES

Man possesses a physical body which is subject to physical laws; from this view-point man is the subject of physics. But he is not a mere physical body so that all his problems could be solved by physics alone. He is a biological being as well, subject to biological law, and from this point of view he is the subject-matter of the science of the biology also. (p.4)

Man is possessed of a mind furnished with the means of knowledge and cognition and charged with passions and desires. From this point of view psychology covers a large part of his being. (p.5)

Man is also a social being obliged by his very nature to mix with other human beings. From this point of view many aspects of his life fall under sociology. (p.5)

Man is an intellectual being whose nature demands the satisfaction of his reason as well. From this point of view rational sciences also satisfy one of his special requirements and demands. (p.5)

Man is a moral and spiritual being too, exercising distinction between good and evil, and possessing an innate urge to reach out to realities beyond the comprehension of reason. (p.5)

Truly speaking, man is all these things taken together, while apart from them, there is a very important matter to be considered about him, namely, that with all his being and in all the different aspects of his life he is a part of the vast and immense system of this universe. Viewed from this standpoint, the question as to what position he occupies in this universe and how he should work as a part of it assumes the highest significance, for unless his position in the universe is correctly determined, no satisfactory code of life and conduct can be evolved from him. (p.6)