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There are immutable Islamic principles which order relations between people, but there is no Islamic economic, social or political structure which cannot be changed... Nothing which can make the world a better place can be rejected out of hand as non-Islamic; ... In order to be Islamic, a solution must fulfill two conditions: it must be maximally efficient and maximally humane. ibid., p. 31

Alija Izetbegovic#9

AdaptabilityAdaptationEfficiencyHumanityPrinciplesSolutions

About this quote

What does it mean?
Islamic principles are fixed but structures can change; solutions must be efficient and humane to be truly Islamic.
In plain terms
Fixed principles exist but structures change, and solutions must be efficient and humane.
What can you take from it?
Ensure solutions are both efficient and humane.

Where it applies

  • policy making
  • economic planning
  • social reform

Putting it to work

  • designing policies
  • evaluating solutions
  • planning reforms

Questions to consider

  • How do you measure efficiency?
  • What makes a solution humane?

Another view

It lacks specific criteria for balancing efficiency and humanity.

More from Alija Izetbegovic

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  2. Islam contains the principle of the umma, i.e. a tendency towards the unification of all Muslims in a single community - religious, cultural and political. Isl…

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  3. The briefest definition of the Islamic order defines it as a unity of religion and law, upbringing and power, ideal and interest, the spiritual community and t…

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