Extensive and Persistent Consumption, in the Light of Islamic Guidelines of Development

Though consumption is the ultimate goal of production, and increases man’s utility, the current patterns of consumption, and the expansion of ‘consumer society’ phenomenon, has worsened the current crisis of the planet Earth; the crisis of pollution and trash, and the crisis of declining phenomenon of renewable resources. The patterns that govern the consumption in contemporary societies are influenced by the secular growth models, which took over after the World War II, and publicize getting closer to the developed [economies] and consumer societies. Whereas, travelling this path is not possible for all mankind and the development models are not capable of making the dreams of mankind, regarding extensive and persistent consumption, a reality. Based on this, new development models [and patterns] based on spirituality, justice and rationality must be derived.This article, by using a descriptive and analytic research methodology proves that development based on Islam is a sure and practical path for achieving an extensive and persistent consumption. The findings of our research show that Islamic development with the spiritual, benevolent, righteous, spoilage contesting and wastage contesting features, on one hand and, modest behavior of the officials and constant consideration of the life of the lower classes by the believers, on the other can, very well fulfill the responsibility of solving this fundamental problem.