A Comparative Study of the Standard Economic Development and Imam Ali's Views

Today, the importance of economic development and its obvious impacts is not lost to anyone, so much so, that it can be called one of the top priorities of the modern world. Therefore, in the present article, we have strived to study the subject of economic development through observing Imam Ali’s deeds. The main objective of the study is to identify how much the modern day elements of economy relate to and resemble the standards of Imam Ali’s time. The studies in this matter reveal that, the areas where differences most appear between modern day standard economics and Imam Ali’s intended economic developments, are discrepancies in foundations, objectives, values, economic freedom, and individual and social benefit. The ultimate objective of the modern day economic development, in most countries, seems to be founded on the concept of wealth gain, luxury, and leisure, but from Imam Ali’s point of view, the concept of development, in and of itself, is a tool to facilitate our gradual movement towards perfection and the ultimate goal of creation.