The Essence of Dominant Economics: Andrew Bosso

The quality of modern media has been such that many obscene inequities of the globe have been brought to the starkest light. An essential part of this tale has been the failure of dominant economics to bring forth a just social order. Recently, the role of bankers – and their supposed greed – has come under severe criticism in the aftermath of the sub-prime loan scandal in the USA, which has had resounding global implications for markets and economies. Jon Moulton – who was credited at seventy-one in the Power 100 on the dominant people in British business – in a recent documentary on Channel Four in England, entitled ‘How the Banks Bet Your Money’ (18 February 2008), discussed this issue, and he identified the greed of bankers as the essential problem of the whole sub-prime tragedy – I use tragedy here to only refer to those normal people, with no involvement, who will have to essentially pay for the clean-up, through their taxes and lowering social services (as their governments take on the burden of the fall-out). While I accept that greed is, perhaps, the essential malignant disease of dominant economics, one needs to look deeper than Moulton at the manifestation of what is, essentially, a spiritual disorder. For this, one needs to proceed as Martin Palmer did in his ‘Thought for the Day’ on the BBC Radio 4 (7 November 2007), and identify ‘usury’ as the grave sin of modern dominant economics, which – as Palmer says – ‘we are almost all implicated’. Interestingly, Palmer cites the traditional condemnation of usury by Christianity, Daoism and Islam – and he notes that ‘though Islam has wavered in the last few centuries, in recent years many Muslims have returned to the Qur’an and its teachings’ on the topic of usury; and he then cites from a verse of the Qur’an: ‘Allah has permitted trade, and forbidden usury’ (2:275). It is of great importance, therefore, that we explore how Muslim scholars have attempted to apply this Qur’anic law to the modern world; but, of course, this is after we first get a glimpse of what is the dominant economic model.

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The Question:

Assalamu Alaykum. I have known a woman who was raised Muslim but does not necessarily believe in mainstream Islam. She believes in God in “her way” as she says. I have just told her this weekend that I cannot marry her as long as she does not accept the basic principals of Islam, believing in Allah and that Mohammed is his prophet and following the Quran as the word of Allah. I love her very much and she is an amazing person (Muslim in every aspect except in her beliefs) but I cannot do something that ultimately will upset Allah. Am I right in my approach and what is the minimum that will be required of her for me to be able to marry her.
Asslamu Alaykum

The Answer:
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Live an Extraordinary Life!

I was talking to one of my parent’s long life friend. She has always amused me with her positive and never-say-die attitude in life - an amazing woman whom, I think, has a determination like a steel. She has gone through many ups and downs but, if you talk to her, you will not find any traces of sadness, depression, regret or anger in her. She is always ever so faithful, positive, confident, optimistic, cheerful and upbeat about life, Masha’Allaah.

From her life’s story, you would know that she once had it all. She was tested with wealth and now with hardship. From owning a few huge bungalows to living in a small rented apartment, from dining in seven star hotels to getting her food from the hawkers by the road side, from having an excellent health only to be diagnosed with cancer, from having a happy marriage to being a single woman, from driving a Mercedes Benz to using the public transportation, from having hundreds of friends to be left with only a few loyal ones. Subhanallaah. As I said before, she once had it all.

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Bismillaah

As Salaamu ‘alaykum and peace to all,

This is an introductory post for a brand new column at Suhaibwebb.com. I am Sister Zabrina A. Bakar, a Life Storyteller, the author of Life is an Open Secret (www.lifeopensecret.com) and also a motivational and inspirational writer/speaker, inshaAllaah.

This column is specially dedicated to Muslims who are looking for motivational stories based on our daily life occurrences, inshaAllaah. These stories aim to motivate and inspire us in becoming better Muslims and have a deeper understanding of our Deen which in turn, lead us to earn His Love, Blessings, Mercy and His Paradise as our eternal abode. Ameen.

Enjoy the stories!

Salaam and peace

Sis Zabrina~ Life Storyteller ~ (more…)

Back pain. Neck Pain, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome! Tests from Allah (swt).

Ust. Fred

And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient, Who, when disaster strikes them, say, “Indeed we belong to Allāh, and indeed to Him we will return.” Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided. (Qur’an, 2:155-157)

This is the promise of Allah and Allah is always true to His promise.

My test began with a simple case of back pain. Over time I developed pain in my neck, knees, elbows, and one shoulder, as well as pain and numbness in my legs, arms, and hands, and suffered gastritis due to my use of prescription and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. I was constantly in pain and became severely disabled. At one point the pain was so severe that I was not able to stand or sit for more that fifteen minutes at a time, to climb three steps, to walk farther than one hundred yards, to carry more than four pounds, to lift a half-gallon milk container, or even to write two lines.

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