To explain the concept from the Islamic value patent, which urges Muslim to help the needy. It is a noble act with great rewardings. Hence, the more a Muslim can earn, the more he can save and the more he will be able to help the needy. Another interesting principle of Islam is to allow savings for the future consumption. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w) enshrined:
‘it is better for one to leave after death some resources for his family than to leave them destitute asking others for help.’
THE PATTERN OF CONSUMPTION
Majority of the consumers give priority to their own consumption than to share with others. However, when the consumer set the expenditure for himself / herself and his / her family, it may be that at this level, he / she is more willing to be generous.
He is willing to give that he includes more of others’ consumption in his function even though this will help others. Only when the level of his own expenditure on himself and his family is low, he is close to the level of necessities, he is not willing to make the same scarifies before.
RELATED ISSUES
Consumption incurred when there is want or need from the consumers. Basically wants and needs vary from individual perspective. Islam however wants the Muslim to distinguish the importance of the needs so they can give priority to the most till the least.
Need is a value loaded a concept as the want and is determined by the concept of maslahah (public interest). Want on the other hand is determined by the concept of utility. These are the 5 elements that have maslahah (public interest) for human beings;
- Life.
- Property.
- Faith.
- Intellect.
- Posterity.
There are 3 levels of need:
(i) Where the above 5 elements are barely protected.
(ii) The level where the protection of above 5 elements is complemented to reinforce their protection.
(iii) The level where the above 5 elements simply get ameliorated or beautified.
It is interesting to see the property has higher position than the faith or religion. Property here may refer to possession of wealth, political power or physical assets. Muslims need these properties in order to have better life in general. The property can enable the Muslims to practice the religion in comfortable environment. Lots of money is required to build a mosque so people can have congregational prayer or gathering on 'Aidilfitri (Festival).
The political power may ensure the position of the religion in a country or an organization. Muslim top leaders could protect and realized the need of the religion as well as the Muslim community.
DIFFERENT PERCEPTION OF NEED
As mentioned before, 2 persons may find different opinion over certain needs. A may see a car is important to him but not to B. The car helps A to go to office to seek ‘rezeki’ (sustenance), which is compulsory to Muslims. Let’s say he takes any public transport and getting tired easily. This could affect his productivity of work or perhaps he could miss the prayer due to the tiredness.
Need depends on desirability where the desirability is determined by the maslahah (public interest). Another example is marriage where it binds the two with love. Allah (swt) has created the creature in pair. So a guy needs to marry a girl as the marriage prevents further from ma’siyat (wrong doings) and has many hidden good causes.
The couple may have a wedding ceremony to publicise and celebrate their status to the relatives. However, it is not necessary for them to have a big bashing wedding ceremony. Consumer basically has various needs in one’s life. However, a Muslim’s consumption must follow the Islamic norms. He must be wise in making decision so he could avoid any wastage in future.
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