However...

However, in Islam, any socio-economic methodology presupposes the relevant standards and criteria of justice as applicable to an Islamic economy. Had Islam allowed the people themselves to determine its concepts of justice 'and injustice, and to come to an agreement on a set of rights by taking into consideration the conditions of their living, their needs, and contemporary values, it would have meant that Islam's role was that of a moralist only.

While Islam offers advice to people and discourages them from being unjust, and invites them to justice, it also states clearly its concept of justice and injustice. This is independent of any individual opinions held on these matters. Islam itself clarifies and distinguishes between the just and unjust paths concerning production and distribution of wealth. For example, Islam regards forcible ownership of (fallow) land, without rendering it cultivable, is an act of oppression.

On the other hand, if the land is reclaimed and made cultivable, the, developer becomes entitled to own the same. Further', Islam considers it an act of oppression to increase wealth by means of usury, However any increase in one's wealth due to legitimate earnings is treated as just and fair. In these and similar other cases, Islam clarifies the limits of justice and injustice. It is also true that Islam encourages the rich to help the poor, but it does not stop there.

The Islamic government concerned is religiously obliged to upgrade the living standards of poor to a sufficient level. According to a tradition attributed to Imam Musa Bin Ja'far (a.s.) a Wali al-‘Amr[^1] has a specific responsibility concerning Zakat. The Imam is reported to have said that it is incumbent on the Wali al-‘Amr to collect Zakat and dispense it according to the divine commandments.

This would necessitate division of Zakat collection into eight parts, including that of the poor and the needy. The dispensation should be so made as to provide an allowance (to the authorized person) that is sufficient to take care of his household needs for one year. If, at the end of a year, it is found that some amount of the Zakat allowance is still left, it should be returned to the authority concerned.

Then, if the poor continue to be in need, the authority concerned has a duty to provide the necessary subsistence allowances. Clearly, the social responsibility and the necessity of securing a good life for everybody is deemed to be an Islamic duty.