Islamic Spirit and Moral in Economics <Articles>

This paper analyzes the correlation between ethics and economics in Islamic perspectives. It is mainly related to the assumption that Islamic teachings tend to hinder economic growth. Ethics that in Islam is known as akhlak is a unity that cannot be separated from Islamic teachings. Tauhid, Akhlak and Sharia are a unity that should be conducted by a servant of God (Allah) who has duties to serve Allah SWT. However, Islamic teachings order its believers to make every effort in conducting their lives in this world. Thus, his/her existence will benefit himself/herself, humankind and nature/environment. The importance of life in this world is also mentioned in "doa sapujagat or universal prayers" that life in this world is as important as the life in the hereafter. Sharia, which is also appraised as an obstacle to economic growth, actually aims to reach a welfare (maslahah) condition through giving a protection to five things as Faith, Life, Posterity, Reason ('Aql) and Property (Mal). Zakat (tithe) for example, although it is dedicated for serving Allah (God), protecting iman (faith), also functions to purify individual wealth, and has a large social impact on society, i.e. help poor people to have a comfortable life.