Le musulman dans le monde de l'économie

This work examines the relationship between Islamic principles and modern economic systems, arguing that Muslims face a fundamental tension between their religious values and the dominant capitalist framework. Ben Nabi contends that the Muslim world's economic underdevelopment stems not from inherent deficiencies in Islamic thought but from a failure to articulate an authentic Islamic economic vision that can engage with contemporary realities while maintaining theological integrity.

The author develops his argument through a dual critique of both Western capitalism and socialist models, demonstrating how each system embodies assumptions about human nature and social organization that conflict with Quranic teachings. Ben Nabi particularly focuses on the concept of property rights, arguing that Islamic jurisprudence offers a distinctive understanding that transcends the private-public dichotomy central to Western economic thought. He examines how the notion of trusteeship (khilafa) in Islamic theology provides a framework for economic activity that emphasizes moral responsibility rather than pure ownership.

Writing in 1972, Ben Nabi engages with the postcolonial moment when newly independent Muslim nations struggled to define their economic paths. He critiques both the wholesale adoption of Western models and the romanticization of pre-modern Islamic practices, advocating instead for what he terms a "civilizational renewal" that would generate economic structures organically rooted in Islamic principles. His methodology combines theological exegesis with sociological analysis, drawing on both classical Islamic sources and contemporary economic theory.

The work's significance for the God debate lies in its assertion that economic systems necessarily embody theological assumptions. Ben Nabi argues that the secularization of economics in the modern West represents not neutrality but a specific metaphysical stance that excludes divine sovereignty from material affairs. He contends that Muslims cannot simply adopt economic techniques while preserving religious faith, as the structures themselves encode particular visions of ultimate reality and human purpose.

Ben Nabi's contribution extends beyond Islamic thought to broader questions about the relationship between religious worldviews and economic organization. His analysis suggests that debates about God's existence and nature cannot be separated from questions about how societies organize production, distribution, and consumption. The work thus challenges both the compartmentalization of religion in modern life and the assumption that economic science operates independently of theological commitments.