اسلامی تناظر میں انسدادِ غربت کی حکمتِ عملی: منتخب مسلم مفکرین کی معاشی آراء کا ایک تجزیاتی مطالعہ

STRATEGIES FOR POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE: AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF THE ECONOMIC THOUGHTS OF SELECTED MUSLIM SCHOLARS

Abstract

This research paper presents an analytical study of poverty alleviation strategies within the Islamic framework, focusing on the economic perspectives of selected Muslim scholars, ranging from the classical theorist Ibn Khaldun to contemporary experts such as Yusuf al-Qaradawi, Khurshid Ahmad, Nejatullah Siddiqi, and Umer Chapra. The central thesis of the study posits that poverty in Islam is not merely a material deficiency but a structural, moral, and social challenge. The paper argues that its resolution lies not just in the mechanical distribution of wealth but in the establishment of social justice (Adl). By analyzing how exploitative interest-based systems and inequitable taxation perpetuate chronic poverty, the study highlights how Islamic economic instruments—such as Zakat, Awqaf, and profit-sharing—provide a comprehensive "moral-economic framework" that ensures human dignity and holistic welfare.

The findings indicate a profound intellectual continuity among the selected scholars, where Ibn Khaldun’s theory of "systemic injustice" aligns with contemporary critiques of structural exploitation. The research concludes that sustainable poverty alleviation requires more than charitable aid; it demands fundamental structural reforms and moral rejuvenation. Recommendations include transforming Zakat into a "developmental fund," promoting equity-based financing as an alternative to debt-based banking, and enforcing the state’s obligation to provide a "basic maintenance level" for all citizens. This study serves as a foundation for future research into integrating Islamic social finance with modern Fintech, digital endowments, and sustainable development to address global economic disparities.