Page 66 - Solution, the values of the Qurʼan

64 SOLUTION THE VALUES OF THE QUR'AN

which will bring a rather moderate income. People wait in queues for hours
in front of unemployment offices in the hope of finding a job.
What is the solution, then? Why do measures fail to eradicate these
problems?
In any country, economic development, productivity, flourishing job
opportunities, and a productive workforce are essential to maintain
economic stability. Yet, statistics indicate that there are almost 820 million
unemployed around the world. When we add the number of dependents
to this figure, the dimensions of the problem become even more serious.
In our day, economic systems, especially in underdeveloped countries,
rely on bank interest. The high interest rates offered to depositors by
banks have a destructive impact on national economies. This becomes the
main reason why people put their money in banks rather than investing
or using it productively. The wealthy find it easier to live on the interest
they receive rather than working and in a society where most people do
not work it is unlikely to boost investment, which is essential for the
improvement of the country.
In such systems, newspapers carry bank advertisements giving the
following message: "You can stop investing in your business and go on a
holiday…" This rationale, albeit seemingly
simple and attractive, brings devastation to a
You who have faith!
country rather than contentment and wealth.
Many of the rabbis and
An economy that is not nurtured by
monks devour people's
investments is doomed to ruin. Money
property under false
accumulated in bank accounts and safes is the
pretenses and bar people
main source of such economic problems as
from access to the Way
inflation. Those who do not contribute to the
of Allah. As for those
economy and who put their money in the
who hoard up gold and
bank and "go on a holiday" will themselves
silver and do not spend it
suffer the consequences in the long term. Their
in the Way of Allah, give
money resting in the bank will constantly lose
them the news of a
value since, in the course of time, it will not
painful punishment.
keep up with the rising rate of inflation.
(Surat at-Tawba: 34)