Islam and the Economy of Pakistan: A Critical Analysis of Traditional Interpretation [Hardcover]

Izzud-Din Pal (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 019547001X | ISBN-13: 978-0195470017 | Publication Date: April 27, 2006

Is Pakistan an ideological state? Is there a particular sectarian point of view which dominates the debate on ideology? These questions are critically examined in this book. The orthodox views on sacred laws of Islam are discussed in order to establish the context for the topic. To further elaborate the argument, the author focuses on issues such as zakat, the rules of conduct for the individual and family, as well as income distribution and foreign trade.

Pakistan's official name--The Islamic Republic of Pakistan--defines the authority that is vested in it for decision-making powers on behalf of its citizens. As a republic, it has a democratic, formal structure in which people have the right to determine who would govern their affairs through free and formal elections. It does not call for the national leaders to be necessarily qualified in Islamic jurisprudence. The country has not, however, found a stable solution to the hybrid mixture underlined in its constitution, which is based on the post-colonial social structure inherited from British rule. These factors together present a serious challenge in shaping its identity as a Muslim nation and a South Asian country, and the political developments which have resulted in civilian rule to be transitory and unstable throughout the history of Pakistan adds an additional dimension to its reality.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A brave book which seeks to demystify Islam and economics in the context of Pakistan. SHE

About the Author

Izzud-Din Pal holds a doctorate in Economics from McGill University. He has taught Economics at universities in Pakistan and Canada. Dr Pal specializes in International Trade and Economic Development and was Adjunct Professor, Centre for Developing-Area Studies, McGill University, from 2000-2005.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (April 27, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 019547001X
• ISBN-13: 978-0195470017
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,766,344 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Pakistan Economy Islamicization, December 29, 2010

By 

William Garrison Jr. (Bellevue, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

"Islam and the Economy of Pakistan: A Critical Analysis of Traditional Interpretation" by Izzud-Din Pal, Oxford Press, (2006), 159 pgs. The difference between his 1999 book titled "Islam and Economics" in this new revised book the author wants to talk beyond just economics by including the socialist-Islamic `reforms' introduced by Pres.-General Ziaul Haq between 1977-1988, which the author believes were a failure (as they were anti-free market). The author wants to discuss how the Islamic `ideology' impacts Pakistan's economic system in developing an "Islamic way of life." The author noted: "This agenda to invoke Islamic ethics with reference to jurisprudence as it evolved in the second-fourth centuries of Islamic history has produced an unworkable system which the ulama offer as an alternative to all other economic systems. I have made an attempt to critically examine this agenda in the framework of the geographical and socio-economic existence of Pakistan" (xiii). This free-market economist- author is opposed to Gen. Haq's regressive `reforms' regarding abolishing reba (interest), imposing zakat (alms) and install shariah inheritance laws. The author discusses how federal water policies of the 1930s impacted on agriculture within Pakistan, and how water-sharing with India still significantly impacts (hinders) Pakistan's agricultural system. The author discusses the British policy of `deindustrialization' of India(Pakistan): take raw Indian materials and return with finished British products by curtailing industrialization within India(Pakistan). Industrialization really did not start in Pakistan until the 1960s, but differed between provinces. Sadly, the author really doesn't detail the socialist policies that were followed during the 1960-70s. The author noted: "The constitution of Pakistan states that Islam is the religion of the state, and that all laws of the country must be in conformity with Islam. It provides a delicate balance concerning the issue of interpretation of the laws by various sects...." (72). The author discusses how the Islamic concept that Christians and Jews need to be treated as `dhimma' - a policy which the author finds unappealing for economic progress. I did not find this `book' to be very useful in understanding how the Pakistan economy operates, or how the government regulates it, or how the government impedes economic development. This book just seems to be too general; missing are specifics as to why/how Pakistan's Islamist anti-market policies limit economic development. The author claims that the Islamist-socialist policies hurt Pakistan's economy, but doesn't explain how or why they do - why riba IS beneficial (despite the Muslim forbiddance of it). The author notes that Muslim Pakistan's aversion to Hindu India [the Muslims used to rule India until the British arrived] curtails trade between the two countries, and that Pakistan is resistant in accepting the beneficial `globalization economics' of Milton Friedman (131). This book is okay for some limited `background' regarding the development of Pakistan's Islamist economic policies, but it isn't anything like a book about economics or understanding Pakistan's socialist economy. I was disappointed with its lack of economic revelation -- NOT a book chock-full of statistics.

2.0 out of 5 stars Pakistan Islamist Economy, December 29, 2010

By 

William Garrison Jr. (Bellevue, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Islam and the Economy of Pakistan: A Critical Analysis of Traditional Interpretation (Hardcover)

"Islam and the Economy of Pakistan: A Critical Analysis of Traditional Interpretation" by Izzud-Din Pal, Oxford Press, (2006), 159 pgs. The difference between his 1999 book titled "Islam and Economics" in this new revised book the author wants to talk beyond just economics by including the socialist-Islamic `reforms' introduced by Pres.-General Ziaul Haq between 1977-1988, which the author believes were a failure (as they were anti-free market). The author wants to discuss how the Islamic `ideology' impacts Pakistan's economic system in developing an "Islamic way of life." The author noted: "This agenda to invoke Islamic ethics with reference to jurisprudence as it evolved in the second-fourth centuries of Islamic history has produced an unworkable system which the ulama offer as an alternative to all other economic systems. I have made an attempt to critically examine this agenda in the framework of the geographical and socio-economic existence of Pakistan" (xiii). This free-market economist- author is opposed to Gen. Haq's regressive `reforms' regarding abolishing reba (interest), imposing zakat (alms) and install shariah inheritance laws. The author discusses how federal water policies of the 1930s impacted on agriculture within Pakistan, and how water-sharing with India still significantly impacts (hinders) Pakistan's agricultural system. The author discusses the British policy of `deindustrialization' of India(Pakistan): take raw Indian materials and return with finished British products by curtailing industrialization within India(Pakistan). Industrialization really did not start in Pakistan until the 1960s, but differed between provinces. Sadly, the author really doesn't detail the socialist policies that were followed during the 1960-70s. The author noted: "The constitution of Pakistan states that Islam is the religion of the state, and that all laws of the country must be in conformity with Islam. It provides a delicate balance concerning the issue of interpretation of the laws by various sects...." (72). The author discusses how the Islamic concept that Christians and Jews need to be treated as `dhimma' - a policy which the author finds unappealing for economic progress. I did not find this `book' to be very useful in understanding how the Pakistan economy operates, or how the government regulates it, or how the government impedes economic development. This book just seems to be too general; missing are specifics as to why/how Pakistan's Islamist anti-market policies limit economic development. The author claims that the Islamist-socialist policies hurt Pakistan's economy, but doesn't explain how or why they do - why riba IS beneficial (despite the Muslim forbiddance of it). The author notes that Muslim Pakistan's aversion to Hindu India [the Muslims used to rule India until the British arrived] curtails trade between the two countries, and that Pakistan is resistant in accepting the beneficial `globalization economics' of Milton Friedman (131). This book is okay for some limited `background' regarding the development of Pakistan's Islamist economic policies, but it isn't anything like a book about economics or understanding Pakistan's socialist economy. I was disappointed with its lack of economic revelation.