The nature and methodology of Islamic economics: the view of Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr (1930 - 1980)

Abstract

Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr ( 1930-1980) is a well known Muslim scholar of the late twentieth century. Rahnema (1994) considers al-Sadr as one of the pioneers of Islamic revival: in the contemporary Muslim world. His keen intellectual interests inspired him to critically study a wide range of areas in contemporary philosophy economics, politics, sociology, history and law, from a distinct Islamic point of view. His book on economics, lqtisaduna (Our Economics) which was written in the late I 950's and first published in 1961 put his name as one of the pioneers of contemporary Islamic economics. His work, in various degree has influenced the later generation of thinkers on the concept and content of Islamic economics. This paper investigates some aspects of al-Sadr's economic thought by focusing his view on the nature, subject matter and methodology of Islamic economics, areas that have not received sufficient attention by contemporary Islamic economists.