An Introduction to Islamic Economics

It is perhaps desirable to preface the review of a book with a briefdescription of its form and content, more so in the area of Islamic economics,where formal writing structures have yet to evolve and much diversematerial tends to be treated under similar, even misleading, titles. Akram'sbook opens with an erudite foreword by Khurshid Ahmad. The text containssix chapters of uneven length spread over 111 pages. Two appendices,notes and references, a select bibliography to help further research, and acouple of indexes constitute its remaining portion.The Introduction is a neat, petite work. Simple language, a lucid style,an uncompromising stance, and reHance on original sources are some of itsnotable features. It has not a few seminal ideas and some outlandish onesas well. The vast coverage inevitably is at some expense of depth and detail.Chapter 1 provides a broad picture of Islamic economics for thosewho may not have the time to read the entire book (p. xii). It is a potpourriof ideas concerning such varied topics as the Islamic worldview, basicassumptions of the discipline, economic organization, the role of money,the problem of poverty, fiscal management, and the sharing of knowledge.Understandably, positions are taken without much argument to supportthem ...