Conclusion

Abstract

We have attempted to explain the Islamic development paradigm on the basis of the Quran (Metaframework) and the traditions of the Prophet (Archetypal Model). The view is succinctly expressed in Verse 96 of Chapter 7 of the Quran, which states that societies and the humans composing them will develop if they are believers and if they are consciously aware of the ever-presence of the Supreme Creator. We have elaborated on the implications of the two requirements for development. First, to be a believing society, its members, individually and collectively, must comply with a set of behavioral rules prescribed by the Law Giver. Second, to be consciously aware, society and its members must have an intimate, conscious awareness of the ever-presence of their Creator in their own private lives and in their relational transactions with the Creator, with other humans, and with the rest of creation. The second condition, which is satisfied when there is a convergence between Meta consciousness and consciousness, is crucial because of the possibility of rule-violation even where a society and its members profess belief. Meta consciousness is an immutable cognition of the Oneness and Onlyness of the Creator. Consciousness, on the other hand, is acquired experientially by humans through a process of encounter with the means provided by the Creator through His Love, including the gifts of dignity; covenant; agency-trusteeship; dominion over resources created for mankind by their Creator; books of revelation; prophets and messengers; tests and trials; the infinite capacity to love the Other; the facility to reciprocate love; and the full ability to understand reality.