Story: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
A book titled “Quranic Formula for World Economic Development”, co-authored by the National Chief Imam, Dr. Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, and the President of the Distinguished Scholars of Africa (DISTINSA), Professor Nana Oppong has been launched in Accra.
Addressing the gathering at the main auditorium of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Accra on Thursday, October 6, 2022, the authors explained that the Quran gives a formula for economic development, which requires the transformation of minds, hearts, and systems for the attainment of that fulfilled life that Allah purposed for all persons.
In his remarks, Professor Nana Oppong stated that the Quran gives guidance on various issues, including economic freedom.
“Yet many people especially Muslims, are ignorant of these significant principles that make life successful and fulfilling for everyone in the world.”
The Lawyer and Academician explained that the book has three major Quranic economic principles that can help address the current world economic crisis faced by many countries, particularly Ghana, and cause massive growth and expansion.
Professor Oppong intimated that the three underlying principles revealed by the Quran which have been captured in the book include: Knowing Good, which includes the acquisition of appropriate knowledge in a field for total development; Acting Good, which means that every knowledge acquired must be put into action for absolute growth in that particular field; and Finally, Loving Good, which includes enjoying all the good things that Allah has blessed mankind with.
“If you know good, you do good, and you love good, then you will create that economy that is good for you. So if you don’t know good or you know but don’t act good, even if you act but don’t enjoy for good, how can you create? So know, do and love is the formula the Quran provides for the economy,” he said.
Professor Oppong used the occasion to admonish the youth in the various Muslim communities to make conscious efforts to acquire knowledge either in technical or vocational skills to enhance their economic liberty as individuals or communities.
President of the DISTINSA also appealed to the various Islamic schools in Ghana to patronise skills education as the acquisition of knowledge is the first step to economic freedom according to the Quran.
In his address on behalf, the Chief Imam, Sheikh Mohammed Awal Shaibu, in his address on behalf, underscored the importance of knowledge acquisition in the life of the Muslim and said that the knowledge Allah has given to mankind distinguishes man from all other animals.
Sheikh Awal Shaibu further explained how Prophet Mohamed exhibited knowledge in the presence of Allah and that the Quran said those who know and those who do not know cannot be the same, hence the need for everyone to strive to attain knowledge in this life and beyond.
Also present at the programme were Mr. Seidu Nasigri, who is the lawyer for the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Latif, who is the Chief of Protocol and a special aide to the National Chief Imam, among many other important persons from the Office of the Chief Imam.
