Reviving an Economics for the Common Good: The Science of Earning in Al-Shaybani, Al-Ghazali, And Al-Dimashqi (Report‪)‬

I noticed the significance of Imam al-Shaybani's (132-189/749-804) Kitab al-Kasb through the course of my research on Shaykh Abu Fadl Ja'far ibn 'Ali al-Dimashqi's (fl. 570/1175) remarkable Kitab al-Ishara ila mahasin al-tijara, (1) especially with regard to how the former's traditional (athari) (2) and juristic (fiqhi) approach to economics and livelihood so nicely complements the latter's distinctly philosophical (falsafi) and pragmatic ('amali) treatment. In the way they reinforce one another, one can safely infer an underlying vision in both of a science of economics that is primarily concerned about the prudent organization of livelihood. (3) This idea of economics as ethico-pragmatic organization of livelihoods for the common good is also apparent in the Kitab Adab al-kasb wal-ma'ash of al-Ghazali (450/1058-505/1111). Thus he says: