Reply Question: 26

Traditions do talk about the economic welfare and people’s means of livelihood during Imam’s era. It should be noted that his economic model would differ from the well-known models of today. Islam is independent in all its rules and precepts and except for a sound natural disposition it does not rely on any human system. Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.), who is the complete Islam and Qur’an will fully put into practice the very true and real Islam.

The verses of Qur’an and traditions teach us points which we shall set forth here along with some introduction. In the Islamic system and order, there exist three main foundations: Belief, ethics, and jurisprudence. These three rings are inseparable from one another. The economic system of Islam is not separate from the political system; the political system isn’t separate from ethics; and the system of ethics is not detached from the beliefs (creed). This is a very vital issue. It is wrong to consider the economic system of Islam to be irrelevant from other rings. Rather, we should examine the system collectively.

Imam-e-Zaman’s rule is founded on the basis of contents of Qur’an,“They shall serve Me, not associating aught with Me” (Qur’an, 24:55). Monotheism is its main pillar and foundation. Therefore, the economic system cannot be designed as one independent system, either in Islam, or during Imam-e-Zaman’s rule. Rather, it is a ring in the chain of rings.

Keeping in view this introduction and the subsequent points, we now say:

The holy Imams (a.s.) have set forth various matters related to the economic system during Imam-e-Zaman’s rule. For instance, during of his reign, no spot on the earth will remain but that it would manifest its bounties and nobody will step on any spot but fully cultivated and flourishing.[73] Moreover, he will distribute wealth equally.[74] Here, equally means equality and justice and distribution takes place on the basis of need.

By justice, we do not mean mathematical evenness. Rather, observance of proportionality in society is justice and equality. The one living as a bachelor is not the same as the one who supports two in a family. Mathematical evenness is neither rational nor just. Besides, traditions say that the economic state, high-mindedness and people’s freedom from want would be to such extent that Hazrat would call the needy and say,“Pick up the money?” The people in turn will act honestly and pick up to the extent of their need. During Imam-e-Zaman’s government, the people would enjoy the divine bounties that were blockaded by (past) governments.

We have still another set of traditions. For instance, a woman would carry a tray of gold and travel from Iraq to Syria. She would not step but only on grass. She would use ornaments without anyone disturbing her![75]

Although this tradition reveals the security that would prevail during Hazrat’s era, it also talks about people’s freedom. It’s this freedom that would prevent anybody from looking at a lonely woman’s ornaments, and economic and financial security would be thus established.

Abundant bounties from one side and implementation of social justice on the other side will uproot poverty to such extent that as per other set of traditions, there will remain no needy and indigent person.[76]