From analysing the divine rules related to the economy, it is evident that Islam addresses the issue of enabling people to utilise wealth. This is the Islamic view regarding the economic problem of society. When addressing the economy, it deals with the initial acquisition of wealth, its disposal and its distribution amongst the public. The rules that deal with the economy are thus based on three principles:

1. Initial ownership,

2. Disposal of the ownership, and

3. Distribution of wealth amongst the people.

With regard to the issue of ownership, it belongs to Allah (swt), since He (swt) is the Owner of all the Dominion (Malik al-Mulk). He (swt) has stated in the texts that property (Maal) belongs to Him. He (swt) said:

“And give them from the property of Allah, which He gave to you.” [An-Nur: 33]

Property, therefore, belongs to Allah (swt) alone. However, He has put mankind in charge of property, provided them with it, and has given them the right of owning it. Allah, the Exalted said:

“And spend from what He put you in charge of.” [Al-Hadid: 7] And He (swt) said:

“And He has provided you with properties and offspring.” [Nuh: 12] Clearly, when Allah addresses the issue of the origin of property, He attributes its ownership to Himself, and says:

“...the property of Allah...” [An-Nur: 33]

Allah (swt) addresses the issue of transferring the property to human beings, He (swt) attributes the property to them and says:

“Give them their properties.” [An-Nisa: 6] And:

“Take from their property.” [At-Tauba: 103] And:

“So for you is your principal sum.” [Al-Baqarah: 279] And:

“And property you possessed with hard work.” [At-Tauba: 24] And:

“And his property will do Him no good.” [Al-Lail: 11]

However, the right of ownership of property that came through its deputation (Istikhlaf) is general for all humans. This is not, however, the actual ownership, it is only the right of ownership. They are deputised to in terms of the right of ownership. Actual ownership by a particular person takes place when the Islamic conditions of ownership are met, such as obtaining the permission of Allah (swt). The actual ownership of property thus takes place when an individual obtains the Legislator’s permission to possess that property. This permission is a specific proof that the individual becomes the owner of that property. Assigning (deputising) all mankind for ownership (of property) is established by the general (’Aam) evidence, and this proves the right of ownership. Assigning an individual to the actual ownership (of a certain property) is made possible by the specific permission, which the Legislator gives to the individual.

The Legislator has stated that an individualistic type of ownership exists where each individual has the right to possess through one of the allowed means of possession. Abu Dawud narrated from the Sunnah that the Prophet (pbuh) (pbuh) said: “Whoever surrounded a piece of land with a wall, then it becomes his.” There is also a type of public ownership by the entire Ummah. Ahmad narrated from a man from the Muhajireen that the Prophet (pbuh) (pbuh) said: “People share in three things: Water, Pasture lands, and Fire.” There is also, in fact, State ownership.When a Muslim dies with none to inherit from Him or her, then his or her property goes to the State Treasury (Bait ul-Mal). Whatever is collected of Kharaj or Jizya, also belongs to the Treasury. Anything that goes to the State Treasury, is for the State to decide upon except for zakat. The State has the right to deal with its property as it sees fit, according to the divine rules Islam has set the means through which the individual, the public and the State can possess property. Any means beyond these is forbidden.

With regard to the disposal of the ownership, the State handles public property on behalf of the people, as it is their representative. Islam has however forbidden the State from exchanging or granting the deed or title of public property. Any disposal of public property, other than these two, are allowed and must be in accordance with the Divine Rules.

The State’s and the individual’s properties are disposed of according to the rules pertaining to the Bait ul-Mal and the rules of transactions, such as selling or pawning. Islam has allowed both the State and the individual to dispose of their properties by exchange or grant in accordance with the divine rules.

The distribution of wealth amongst the people is carried out naturally through the means of ownership and contracts. The natural differences among people in their abilities and in their tendencies to satisfy their needs result in variations in wealth distribution among them. This could result in the possibility of poor distribution where wealth is concentrated in the hands of the few, while the rest of the people are deprived of it. The hoarding of gold and silver, which are the standards of exchange could also occur. Islam has, therefore, forbidden the circulation of wealth amongst the wealthy only. Islam, in fact, obliged that wealth be circulated amongst all the people. Islam also forbade the hoarding of gold and silver, even if a portion of the individual’s gold and silver had been given out as Zakat.