Comparative Analysis of Distributive Justice during the Eras of Uthman and Ali ibn Abi Talib: A Study through John Rawls's Theory

Document Type : Research/Original/Reqular Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of History and Civilization of Islamic Nations, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 Master's Graduate in History of Islam, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran

3 . Master's Graduate in History of Islam, University of Islamic Denominations

Abstract

Distributive justice has long been a central concern of governments, and numerous perspectives have been offered on this topic. John Rawls, a prominent 20th-century American political philosopher, is a key theorist in this field. This article compares the political economies of the eras of the third and fourth Caliphs, Uthman and Ali ibn Abi Talib, analyzing these periods through a theoretical framework derived from Rawls's theory of distributive justice. Concepts such as recognizing equal rights for all, prioritizing the collective interest over the interests of the wealthy, and advocating for just government intervention through distributive mechanisms are central to Rawls's argument in A Theory of Justice. During Uthman's caliphate, a growing divergence from the values of the prophetic era emerged, marked by increasing social stratification, the concentration of wealth within a specific class, the rise of an aristocracy, and the emergence of monopolies. Ali ibn Abi Talib, in contrast, sought to regulate and improve the distribution of wealth and income, implementing economic reforms that prioritized human dignity over kinship ties and public welfare over individual and class interests. This research emphasizes the significant differences between the political economies of these two periods, highlighting dimensions of Ali ibn Abi Talib's approach to distributive justice that extend beyond Rawls's theoretical framework. These findings offer a valuable model for understanding contemporary economic challenges.

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Iranian Journal for the History of Islamic Civilization
Volume 57, Issue 1
September 2024
Pages 179-205

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History

  • Receive Date: 01 April 2024
  • Revise Date: 30 November 2024
  • Accept Date: 01 December 2024

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