Islamic economics which is a discipline for studying economic behaviour from an Islamic
perspective advocates comprehensive human development defined by advancement and progress in
multiple dimensions beyond GDP income or standard of living. Not only should socio-economic
progress be in all dimensions but it should also have a higher purpose. A society is considered
economically and socially developed if adequate protections are provided for faith life
intellect progeny and wealth. This concept of balanced progress itself is an important idea
recognized by the sociologists. However the same has so far not been measured or used in
policy making by economists. Similarly lack of adequate protections in a society along these
dimensions indicates poverty which is another way of measuring slack in development. The
chapters in this edited volume deal with conceptualization of socio-economic development on
these lines and show how to measure socio-economic development in acomprehensive way. The book
will be of interest to academics in the fields of economics economic development and Islamic
economics. It will also be of interest to policy makers engaged in economic development social
progress and poverty alleviation.
