Ma`rifat Siyasi

Although the concept of “development” in the modern era is mainly defined through quantitative indicators and within the framework of empirical sciences, it is fundamentally normative and value-laden in nature and thus belongs to the domain of political philosophy. From the perspective of contemporary Islamic political philosophers, development is not only compatible with religion but is also affirmed within the framework of Islamic teachings in the domains of beliefs, jurisprudential rulings, ethics, and religious texts. In the realm of beliefs, Islam’s dual-dimensional view of the human being establishes a comprehensive model of development that emphasizes both spiritual perfection and material well-being. In the sphere of jurisprudence, measures such as the prohibition of usury and encouragement of production and the equitable distribution of wealth provide the necessary foundations for sustainable development. In the ethical domain, values such as justice and asceticism function not as obstacles, but as reinforcing factors in the process of development. Furthermore, numerous religious texts emphasize the cultivation of the earth, efforts toward production, and poverty alleviation as religious and social duties. Accordingly, Islam regards development as a legal and moral necessity and reforms its orientations and objectives. From this viewpoint, development in Islamic political philosophy is a comprehensive and balanced process aimed at fulfilling both the material and spiritual needs of human beings and realizing the concept of ḥayāt ṭayyibah (the good and wholesome life).