This article examines the Quranic teachings on poverty and economics, highlighting their role in establishing a new social order that prioritizes justice for the poor. The Quran provides a blueprint for economic action that emphasizes charity, the distribution of wealth, and ethical treatment of the poor. The article examines the historical context of these teachings, noting the influence of late antiquity and pre-Islamic Arab traditions. Central to the Quranic economic vision is the concept of an “economy of poverty,” in which wealth is purified and circulated through charity (sadaqah and zakat). The Quran makes little distinction between voluntary charity (sadaqah) and obligatory charity (zakat), although the lines between them are often blurred. Charity is a means of imitating God’s generosity and purifying wealth. The Quran identifies specific groups as recipients of charity, including the poor (faqra and misakim), orphans, travelers, and debtors. The poor are central to the Quranic economic vision, with a focus on caring for them and redistributing wealth. The concept of surplus (God’s grace) encourages believers to repay God’s generosity by giving to others, while the idea of financial right (right/supplication/duty) emphasizes the obligation to distribute wealth fairly. The principles of Quranic economics influenced the early Islamic financial and military structure, which was based on the concepts of gift (fi’) and grant (‘ata). The Quranic teachings on poverty and giving played a transformative role in shaping Islamic society, both in and outside of Saudi Arabia, and left a lasting legacy on economic and social practices. [Translator]
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