Insights from the Prophet’s Social and Economic Reforms

In the course of reforming society, after emigration and founding the new nation, the Prophet (PBUH) depends on the following points: 1. The Divine revelation was in the right time i.e. it fits the need of society. For example, Zakat (religious duty like taxes) was imposed when the society was in need for money and funds.

2. The Divine methodology of social morals is not theoretical; it is an educational one, with events and situations. A problem happens, Allah (SWT) leaves people deal with it the way they want, then finally He (SWT) sends Quranic ayahs to tell them where right is.
3. The Prophet (PBUH) represented a role model for the people in society. For instance, people were very poor, and when one of them went to the Prophet (PBUH) to complain of hunger, he found him in the same state too .The Prophet (PBUH) never ate except after the people ate. Being such an example, the Prophet (PBUH) helped the people to be patient; he (PBUH) was an example in everything.
4. The most important factor at large which helped the Prophet ( PBUH ) to plant good morals and to reform society was Al-Jannah ( paradise ). But how? He (PBUH) made it concrete in the minds of people, and used it as a stimulus to encourage people to do well. Our Prophet (PBUH) managed to find solutions for many problems with this stimulus. For example, to solve the problem of orphans and poverty he promised those who help those categories of poor people and orphans to be his companions in Paradise .Not only this , but even in the economical field he ( PBUH) preached that those who accurate their works are rewarded with paradise . He also used the reverse i.e. Jahanam (Hell ) to prevent bad manners . Modern psychologists are trying nowadays many theories such as "the reward- punishment" theory that has existed 14 centuries ago.
On the economical level, the society was very poor, but they moved towards developing all aspects of life . At that time, the role of businessmen started. Othman Ibn Affan, who was very rich, bought a water well from the Jews and offered it to the Muslims as a gift. The Prophet (PBUH) also set up a new market in Medina as the Jews were controlling the trade. There were also 70 youths from the companions who established a group to teach Ahlul – Saffa some handcrafts (small projects), to practise by day like turnery . Creativity found an outlet as well; using the minbar (pulbit) was the idea of a woman from the companions. She told the Prophet (PBUH) that to achieve better communication, he should stand on a high place to see the people and to be seen by them while delivering his speeches.