Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explores altruism in the broader economics literature to contextualize the Islamic perspective on it and to arrive at a working definition that is used to evaluate Akhuwat's policy in this regard. While election research demonstrates that the public in Pakistan is not enamored with a forceful imposition of religiosity, nonetheless polls show most view themselves as religious and identify with Islam. Orthodoxy or fundamentalism is a reference to those who subscribe to traditionalist interpretations of Islamic law. Modernists or progressive interpretations include those believing in the separation of religion and state. The orthodox view the doors to debate as shut and view the Islamic tradition of ijtihad as heresy, while secular liberals find such a debate irrelevant and view the orthodox with disdain.