AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF ECONOMIC ISSUES IN SELECTED URDU INTERPRETATIONS (TAFAASEER)

Abstract

In contemporary discourse, a common misconception is that Islam does not offer a comprehensive economic system. While it is true that the Quran, the primary source of Islamic law, does not discuss economics in the detailed manner of specialized economic textbooks, it provides essential principles guiding various aspects of life, including economics. This research investigates these principles as derived from Quranic verses, examining how classical and modern Urdu exegeses interpret them. The study focuses on the economic principles within the Quran, using four major Urdu commentaries: Maariful Quran by Mufti Muhammad Shafi, Tafheem-ul-Quran by Maulana Maududi, Tibyan-ul-Quran by Allama Ghulam Rasool Saeedi, and Rooh-ul-Quran by Pir Karam Ali Shah Al-Azhari. These commentaries were selected to explore whether Urdu scholars interpret the relevant verses through an economic lens. The findings demonstrate that the Quran provides timeless and universally applicable economic principles. These principles, when derived by the commentators, show that the Quranic approach to economics transcends time and can be implemented in any era, offering an alternative to contemporary capitalist and socialist systems. The research concludes that Islam proposes a complete economic system based on these principles, as evidenced by the thorough and principle-oriented interpretations found in the selected Urdu exegeses. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of Islamic economics and highlights its relevance and applicability in modern times.