The Concept of Property Ownership from Quraish Shihab’s Perspective in the Modern Era

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the concept of property ownership from an Islamic economic perspective, focusing on the moderate thought of M. Quraish Shihab amid the dynamics of the modern era. Amid the dominance of capitalism and digitalization, there is often a shift in meaning whereby property is regarded as an absolute right of ownership, which fuels consumerism and social inequality. This study employs a qualitative method through a literature review, examining various primary sources such as Tafsir Al Mishbah and relevant scholarly journals. The findings reveal that, in M. Quraish Shihab’s view, ownership of wealth in Islam is relative. the true owner is Allah SWT, while humans are merely trustees obligated to manage wealth responsibly. Quraish Shihab’s  thought emphasizes the social function of wealth through the instruments of zakat, infaq, and sedekah to realize distributive justice. The study’s conclusion affirms that the values of stewardship and social responsibility are  highly relevant as an ethical compass in addressing the economic complexities of today’s digital society, while also serving as a solution to reduce economic inequality.