In Islamic economics, the assumption of unlimited human wants is explored through the dual dimensions of human relationships: vertical with Allah SWT and horizontal with oneself, others, and the environment.
These dimensions highlight how faith influences the balance between satisfying basic needs and managing desires. This paper delves into the interplay between faith and consumption, emphasizing the ethical implications of human wants in an Islamic context.
The Assumptions of Unlimited Human Wants in Islamic Economics
Islamic tasawur in the human will involves two dimensions of the relationship. The first dimension of the relationship is the vertical relationship between “MAN - ALLAH AZZA WA JALLA”. In support of this assertion, our relationship with the Allah SWT will determine the mode of relationship with fellow servants, those that come. The second dimension of the relationship is the horizontal relationship dimension. Horizontal relationship dimensions are shaped into three types of relationships. First, the relationship between “MAN - HIMSELF”. Second, human relationships with other human beings. Third, human relations with the environment that includes flora, fauna and other forms of life. In our study, the environment can be segregated into goods and services in economic activity. The vertical dimensions of the relationship can be described as follows (the horizontal dimensions of the relationship are discussed in another chapter).
The Relationship Dimension of Habl Min Allah
The dimension of the human relationship with Allah SWT is one of the components of Islamic law. The dimension of the relationship of God's ministries in the context of human will in the mainstream Islamic economy involves one's faith in terms of consumption. Faith can drive people's will toward goods and services. The level of human needs and desires is subject to faith's effects. This is in line with the word of Allah SWT, which means in Surah Luqman (31:22), Al-Nisa (4:125).
These Qur'anic verses show that with a strong faith in Allah SWT, Muslims will keep themselves from doing things beyond their limits. Matters beyond this limit include the use of goods and services. For example, Muslims who have a strong faith level will be able to control their desire not to exceed their unlimited level of wants. They will meet the demands of necessities such as shelter, food and clothing. If the needs are met, those who are capable will go to higher levels. They will try to satisfy their desires, but do not go beyond the limits of their relationship with Allah SWT. Believers will make every effort to control their will not to cross the line as depicted in the Hadith of the Messenger of Allah SAW. The Messenger of Allah SAW said as stated in Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith No. 1380).
On the other hand, people of weak faith are prone to follow their passions for the sake of goods and services that transcend boundaries. Although their basic needs and wants are still not fully met, they tend to meet unlimited needs. This situation stems from weak faith. Their relationship with Allah SWT is fragile. When Allah's relationship is fragile, man cannot distinguish between the want blessed by Allah SWT, and the want which is not blessed by Him. The want that Allah SWT does not bless is the unlimited want. As a result, people with weak faith will always follow the lower level of lust and lawlessness. The situation between this level of faith and the human will can be illustrated in Fig. 1.
Fig. 1. The relationship between the level of iman and human wants.
Fig. 1 depicts the relationship between the stages of human faith in Allah SWT with their will to goods and worship. Axis Y refers to the stage of faith, and X position also refers to human will. The curved line marked M also refers to humans. A human who has a high level of faith will influence the use at a low and ordinary level, that is, the level of ordinary needs and wills as indicated by item A. If they have a luxurious level of will, they do not exceed the limits. Conversely, people who have weak faith will affect the use at a high level, namely the level of will that is not limited as indicated by item B. This situation is drawn by those who have weak faith are more likely to do things that are wrong and beyond the limits as the word of God SWT in Surah al-Qiyamah (75:5-6), al-'Alaq (96:6-7) and al-'Aadiyat (100:6-8). And also in the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad SAW (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 207; al-Jami 'al-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 2372).
Besides, those who have weak faith are impatient in obtaining goods and worship, even there is no feeling of khawf and subsiding within them. In support of this view, the Quran provides the following ayah in Surah al-Baqarah (2:40) and al-Anfal (8:2). People with high levels of faith have no desire to go beyond the limits because they are always controlled by the feeling of being able to do things outside of religious boundaries. They are also patient and generous with the provision of Allah SWT whether they are small or large. This is in line with the word of Allah SWT in Surah al-'Asr (103:1-3).
Fig. 1 also shows that the level of faith can also vary from high to low, depending on the effect of faith on them. People who can control their will affect the level of faith to a higher level. Similarly, Fig. 1 shows that human will can change from normal to transcendent depending on the effect of faith on them. Weak believers will have an unlimited want. High-minded people will be able to control their appetites to remain at the level that Allah SWT sees.
Conclusion
In Islamic economics, strong faith in Allah SWT encourages moderation in fulfilling human wants, limiting consumption to basic needs and ethical desires. Conversely, weak faith leads to uncontrolled desires and excessive consumption. This highlights the crucial role of spiritual guidance in promoting balanced and sustainable economic behaviors.
