A Response to Masudul Alam Choudhury

Abstract

Choudhury claims to have developed a distinct methodology based on specific Islamic principles. This methodology, if adopted, will transform the worldview of socioeconomic inquiry, alter the assumptions of economic theory, and transform policy recommendations and implications. The Islamic principle at the center of this methodology is the concept of Tawhid (unity of God). In addition to defining it properly, he is correct to use the concept as the starting block for a distinctive Islamic methodology, as it represents the foundation of Islamic doctrine. In other words, any purported Islamic methodology that does not encompass within its foundation the concept of Tawhid will hardly qualify to be characterized as Islamic. The critical question then is how to apply the concept in the context of socio-scientific inquiry.

Citation

Reda, A. (2012), "A Response to Masudul Alam Choudhury", Biddle, J.E. and Emmett, R.B. (Ed.) Research in the History of Economic Thought and Methodology: A Research Annual (Research in the History of Economic Thought and Methodology, Vol. 30 Part 1), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 101-109. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0743-4154(2012)000030A008