Latest news with #Muqaddimah
Wall Street Journal
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Wall Street Journal
‘Shifting Sands' Review: Roads Into the Sahara
In the Western imagination, the Sahara is an empty space, a state of nature. Some locals shared this view before Europeans discovered the savannah south of the sands. Ibn Khaldun, the polymath born in Tunis in 1332, witnessed the fragility of political power as he moved between the capitals of the Maghreb in North Africa. His 'Muqaddimah' (1377) interprets the history of the world as a cyclical struggle between the badu, whose lives are shaped by their struggle against the wilderness, and the hadar, the settled urbanites who achieve political development and other amenities of the easy life. In Ibn Khaldun's view, the badu are not the anarchist prelude to polite society that Rousseau imagined. They are its structural counterpart, who, toughened by their environment, keep the cycle going through conquest, only to be softened by urban comforts. Ibn Khaldun knew what he was talking about. A veteran courtier, he started the 'Muqaddimah' after retreating to the badu fortress of Beni Salama, now in Algeria, in the 1370s. In 'Shifting Sands,' Judith Scheele calls Ibn Khaldun the only major thinker to develop 'a political theory rooted in Saharan history.' Ms. Scheele contrasts his view with the Enlightenment-era notion of the Sahara as a wasteland to be managed and improved. This perception was as much economic as geological. It assumed, she writes, that desertification was a punishment for poor resource management. Ms. Scheele, an anthropologist who has worked in Algeria, Mali and Chad, pursues a synthesis. By 'taking our cue from Saharans themselves,' she writes, we can 'find new ways of thinking about the Sahara.' Her book presents a detailed, often gritty, picture of a fragile world. Her travels trace the web of exchanges, linguistic and material, that crisscross a harsh, vast and sometimes impassable terrain. The Sahara's ramshackle nodes are densely populated and littered with plastic goods, and its camel trails have been replaced by roads for trucks, but the deep structures of the desert and Islam continue to shape badu life.
Observer
27-03-2025
- Business
- Observer
The importance of Islamic economics in contemporary society
Economy is one of the most fundamental aspects of any state, society, or civilisation. From the earliest days of human interaction, economic systems have been necessary for organising resources, trade and distribution of wealth. Every religion and school of thought has addressed economic matters in some form. Islam, as a complete way of life, offers a comprehensive and ethical economic system, rooted in justice, equity and moral responsibility. In this discussion, I aim to focus on the profound relationship between Islam and economics. If one wishes to truly understand Islamic economics, they must begin with the life and practices of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Before he received prophethood, the Prophet was deeply engaged in trade and business. His integrity, honesty and fair dealings earned him the title of Al Ameen" (the trustworthy) among the people of Makkah. His economic practices and business ethics are well documented in Islamic history and offer a foundation for understanding Islamic economic principles. Trade, entrepreneurship and financial dealings are not marginal topics in Islam, they are core to the Prophet's life and teachings. Sadly, this critical aspect is often neglected in modern Muslim societies. In today's world, it is essential for our educational institutions, colleges, universities and religious seminaries to give due importance to Islamic economics, which offers unique perspectives that contrast with contemporary models such as capitalism and socialism. Modern economic systems have their advantages but also numerous drawbacks. Capitalism, for instance, has led to extreme income inequality, environmental degradation and exploitation. Socialism, while attempting to address inequality, has often resulted in inefficiency and lack of innovation. In between lies the mixed economy, which tries to balance private and public interests. But what about the Islamic economy? Why is it seldom discussed in depth? Does it not offer alternatives? Can it not contribute to solving the economic crises of our times? Islamic economics is based on the principles of justice (Aadl), equity (Ihsan) and prohibition of exploitation (zulm). It prohibits Riba (usury), promotes zakat (mandatory charity), encourages risk-sharing in business through Mudarabah and Musharakah and discourages hoarding and monopolies. The goal is not just profit, but ethical earning and fair distribution. Prominent Islamic economists like Ibn Khaldun (1332–1406), who is considered a forerunner of modern sociology and economics, emphasised the importance of productive labour, fair taxation and the role of government in regulating markets without suppressing entrepreneurial freedom. He wrote in his Muqaddimah that 'Commerce means the attempt to make a profit by increasing capital, through the purchase of goods at a low price and their sale at a higher price.' However, he warned against state interference that discourages trade and wealth creation. In my view, there is a growing need to revisit the Seerah (biography) of the Prophet with a specific focus on his economic behaviour. We should re-study how he conducted business, treated partners and employees, managed risks and ensured fairness in transactions. His dealings with Khadijah (RA), his involvement in caravan trade and his economic leadership in Medina offer timeless lessons. It is time for scholars, educators and policymakers to integrate Islamic economic thought into curricula, public discourse and policymaking. Raising awareness about the ethical and sustainable economic system Islam promotes could potentially provide solutions to many of the challenges our societies face today, poverty, inequality, corruption and economic instability. Indeed, the path to economic revival in Muslim societies may begin with a return to our roots, drawing from the wisdom of the Holy Quran, the Sunnah and the intellectual heritage of our scholars. Let us engage, explore and educate others about the richness of Islamic economics not only as an academic discipline but as a living, practical guide for just and compassionate living.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
These Are The Cars Your Kids Have On Their Walls
Kids, you either love 'em, hate 'em, or think they're OK. I think kids are fine, especially the ones that can chew my ear off about their special interests. Yes I want to know about your favorite dinosaur and don't skimp on the roar recreations! But what really captures my heart is a kid who loves cars. Some of you have kids and are lucky enough to share your passion with them and have it stick. I asked about what kind of cars get your kids excited, and you delivered with some interesting answers. You can find them below. Read more: You Can Buy A 400-HP V-Series Cadillac For Less Than A Honda Accord My son doesn't have posters of cars, but he does have five of my old 1:18 scale models in his hutch. -1965 Pontiac GTO -1968 Camaro Z28 -1993 Porsche 911 -1990 Nissan 300ZX Fairlady -1973 Pontiac Trans Am 455 Submitted by: Fiji ST This right here. But my kids are pushing 60 and contemplating retirement. Submitted by: Muqaddimah KTM 450: Signed Kurt Caselli poster from when he was racing WORCS for KTM. When he died in Baja, my kid was shattered. Interests have moved on over the years, but the poster still has a place of honor on his door. Submitted by: soloyosh I got my oldest in a printed issue of Motor Trend when he was young, Ed Loh even sent him a care package so he can continue his fascination with cars. No poster on the wall, but I think I did my part. Submitted by: Swimbikerun70.3 My collage age son's dream car is a Toyota Prius Prime or a Toyota minivan (The name of which I can neither remember nor spell). What have I done? Submitted by: StPaul No posters (yet), but my 10yo daughter is very curious about manual transmissions. She sees me drive from the back seat and wants to know why my car "works different from mommy's". Submitted by: Stephen. I had a poster of a Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale that I got from the scholastic book fair on my wall from age like 7 until I moved out of my parents ar 24 years old. I still love that car, maybe its just a nostalgia factor Submitted by: Sal Because of me, both of my daughters have developed a thing for motorcycles. Despite the fact I crashed and tore my ACL during the rider safety course (I locked the brakes during a drill). Also, one kid now has a thing for Corvettes and the other one said she wants a Porsche 911 GT3. Both of them are teenagers. Submitted by: Omer Carrothers My kids mostly want animals or pictures with friends on their walls. My daughter's dream car is a purple Hellcat though, so I could probably talk her into putting up one of those. My son has been more difficult to figure out. He and his friends all get really excited when they see a Tesla (there were ~5 Cyber trucks entered into the pinewood derby), but he doesn't want a Tesla hot wheel/toy. My best bet at getting a car on his wall right now would probably be one of Bumblebee. Submitted by: engineerthefuture My daughter has two, both of them are hand drawn and fantastic. One is a Subaru WRX STI, which was my car so I'll take credit for that. The other is a group B Audi Sport Quattro Submitted by: Matthew Wakefield Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
