The Quran Concept of Well-being and Policy Principles and Practices in Pakistan

Abstract

Human beings, according to almost all religious belief systems, are the most important creation in this universe, who have biological, intellectual and spiritual properties. They are expected to have the best possible life on earth, because of their superior endowments and ability to shape the environment. What constitutes a good life for human beings i.e. ‘well-being’ has always been a moot point among the philosophers, thinkers, psychologists, economists and lately experts of policy studies. Different notions of man’s well-being prevailed in different societies. In ancient Greek civilization, the conception of man’s well-being ranged from some pleasure seeking (Hedonism) to attainment of balance and fulfillment in life (Eudemonia). In the post Renaissance West, the concept of human well-being entertained different notions and it is still evolving. The classical economists thought that unrestricted economic activities, augmented by increased production, due to better technology, and in result thereof consumerism would help expand the choices of the people to ameliorate their lives. Capitalistic paradigm of well-being was strongly challenged by Communist philosophy of Karl Marx and Engels. Welfare economics, UN sponsored human development initiative, with the insightful contributions of Dr. Mahbubul Haq and Amartya Sen, and an unprecedented research in the fields of psychology, particularly positive psychology, indicated the significance of attaching value to man’s life. Since the dominating characteristics of capitalism are individualism and consumerism, which have generally resulted in sectionalism, fragmentation and piecemeal dealing of human life, hence, none of the contemporary developmental paradigms could provide the humanity with a comprehensive concept of human well-being. Man is not only a biological but also social and spiritual being. It is the spiritual aspect in particular that seems missing in contemporary discourse of social sciences. This thesis argues that a comprehensive concept of human well beings exists in the Holy Quran. It is the book which claims to encompass the teachings of all prophets and, therefore, can be taken to be the collective heritage of all humankind. The model worked out in the light of the Quranic precepts incorporates all aspects of man’s well-being viz: physical, intellectual and spiritual. The thesis pleads that human well-being be seen at a wider framework, to include the well-being of family and community that individual human beings belong to. The thesis further posits that since Pakistan is constitutionally an Islamic state and there are a number of provisions in the Constitution, which assert on promotion of Quranic teaching, there is a need to bring these provisions in policy framework, so that people may be encouraged to adopt Islamic way of life in their personal as well as public affairs.