Islam and Globalization

Both the Islamic faith and civilization are inclusive as well as universalist. Philosophically speaking, everything inclusive is bound to be universalist. Inclusive here means to accept or receive from the other. In the process of receiving, inclusiveness may give to the other whatever it has. Universalism, too, involves receiving as well as giving. You seek to get the good of the other and give to him the good you have.

Islam is inclusive in that it claims to have inherited all the true revelations revealed to the Prophets of Allah from Adam to Jesus and finally to Muhammad. It is universalist because it not only lays claim on the truth that others have but also declares that whatever it has, in fact, belongs to entire mankind. It is in this sense that Islam has been called a blessing for all human beings.

Armed with the above-mentioned inclusive –universalist ideology, the early Muslims embarked upon an all round movement for globalization. The historians, particularly the orientalists have focused more on Islamic conquests than the Knowledge movement it launched and the global civilization it sought to establish. It is amazing to see that the Muslim conquerors felt no shame and hesitation and willingly became the disciples of the people they had conquered. They were liberal in seeking Knowledge from others and generous in giving their intellectual riches to whosoever sought to obtain them. Similarly, the early Muslims believed in what we call free trade today. Surely the civilization they built was both inclusive as well as universalist. As a result they had become the globalizing force of the time. They were indeed globalist with a deep sense of fairness and justice. As is the case with today’s globalization, the globalism of the early Muslims was aided by the then developing science and technology. In fact, an ideology of globalization was at work when al-Mamun commissioned the preparation of a world map by the then experts.

The medieval Muslims, particularly the Abbasids were a great champion of what we call globalization today. They were great globalists especially in intellectual-academic matters. They believed that Knowledge was the common fund of humanity. They regarded the unknown Knowledge as their lost property and laid their claim over it wherever they found it. They sought and obtained Knowledge from all civilizations and generously gave their own intellectual treasure to the rest of the world. They spent money on receiving Knowledge but gave it free of cost. Their approach, as can be imagined, contributed greatly in globalizing knowledge – science, technology, medicine, philosophy, language and arts etc – which later on played a key role in bringing about the modern age.

The medieval Muslims also believed in globalizing trade and commerce based on principles of justice and fairness and not on exploitation that characterizes the current globalization. Before the onset of the modern age trade was conducted both between cities as well as ‘nations’. The Muslims participated greatly in both kinds of trades. They were a major partner in the trade being conducted through the famous Silk Route and had almost monopoly over sea trade. Whether between cities or countries the trade was conducted under certain fair principles which sought to eliminate exploitation and discrimination.

It was more or less what we call free trade or market economy without the unfair practices that we observe today.

It is clear that Islam stands for globalization. Be it globalization of knowledge, trade or technology, Islam wants it on the basis of principles of equity, justice and fairness by creating an atmosphere in which exploitation, discrimination and all other unjust practices will be forbidden. Unfortunately the current globalization has been unleashed by Anglo-Saxon intellectuals and politicians. Although they speak in favour of globalization benefitting one and all, the fact is that they have sought to exploit the poor nations. Globalization has today no doubt increased wealth as never before. But it has sadly been pocketed by the rich and the powerful. As a result the poor has become poorer and life is indeed becoming a kind of punishment for him.

The Muslims should take globalization as a challenge. Every challenge has an element of opportunity in it. Or perhaps every challenge can be converted into an opportunity. Converting globalization into an opportunity would not be easy as today’s Muslim world suffers from Knowledge deficit and lacks economic resources. But despite these and other shortcomings, the Muslims have no option except trying to convert challenges into opportunities.

(April 2012)