WEALTH AS A TEST, NOT AN END: THE EPISTEMOLOGY OF OWNERSHIP IN ISLAMIC ECONOMIC THOUGHT

Abstract

This paper investigates the epistemological foundations of ownership in Islamic economic thought by conceptualizing wealth as a moral and spiritual test rather than an ultimate economic objective. Conventional economic systems largely treat ownership as an absolute right oriented toward accumulation and profit maximization, often neglecting ethical and social consequences. In contrast, Islamic economics views wealth as an amanah (trust) granted by God, accompanied by moral accountability and social responsibility. This study employs a qualitative library research method, analyzing primary Islamic sources such as the Qur’an and Hadith, as well as classical and contemporary scholarly works in Islamic jurisprudence and economics. The findings demonstrate that Islamic epistemology integrates revelation (waḥy), reason (‘aql), and ethical consciousness to define ownership as conditional, purpose-driven, and socially embedded. Ownership is directed toward achieving maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah, including justice, welfare, and human dignity. This epistemological framework offers a normative alternative to modern economic paradigms and provides ethical guidance for addressing contemporary issues such as inequality, moral hazard, and unsustainable economic behavior.