Posted by Dr Daud Batchelor | 27 Nov, 2023
Would you be interested in an Index that aspires to reflect well-being of a country’s Muslims, not only in their existence on earth, but also in the next life? That is the ultimate goal of the Islamic Well-Being Index (IWI) for Muslim Countries, assessed annually. It does not refer specifically to one individual’s well-being or just an elite, but overall well-being of the bulk of citizens in a Muslim country.
Such an index was developed by Dr Daud Batchelor in 2013 at the International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies (IAIS) Malaysia, and is now based upon the Higher Objectives of Islamic Law (Maqasid al-Shariah) developed by classical scholars Abu Hamid Ghazali (d.1111) and al-Shatibi (d.1388).
This approach was enhanced by the deliberations of leading contemporary scholars in 2014-15, led by Imam Abdul Rauf and Professor Hashim Kamali, seeking to produce an index of good governance based on the Shari’ah.
The updated methodology involves obtaining data on separate indicators that reflect five essential (daruriyyat) Maqasid elements, viz. protection of Din, Life, Intellect, Family and Wealth.
Malaysia which was No. 1 when the Index was first published in 2013, regained first place this year. It means that a majority of Malaysian Muslims are experiencing relative well-being compared to other Muslim countries, as a consequence of government policies and themselves having inculcated to varying degrees, Islamic teachings and practices?
Maldives came second, followed by Jordan, Indonesia, and Tunisia.
Jordan’s improved position coincides with its government pursuing policies intended to achieve citizens’ well-being, similar to WEGOs (Well-Being Governments) – New Zealand, Scotland, Finland – that incorporate sustainable well-being objectives in national policies.
The massive improvement in Kosovo’s well-being ranking reported in 2022, is reflected this year in improved rankings in neighboring Balkan countries – Bosnia and Herzegovina (+12) and Albania (+8).
Could this represent a significant post-communism Islamic revival there?
Benefits of the Index are that it offers a scorecard that highlights leader and laggard countries and provides practical insights for countries that aspire to move to a higher state.
IWI indicators provide a way to spot problems, set targets, track trends, understand outcomes and identify best policy practices.
Relevant stakeholders can use the Index as a tool in identifying what specific actions can contribute to greater IWI levels.
51 Muslim majority countries could be assessed for the four Maqasid fields of Life, Intellect, Family and Wealth.
Based on the composite average value for these Non-Religion Maqasid, the rankings were: Malaysia (1st), UAE (2nd), Kosovo (3rd), Maldives (4th), and Jordan (5th).
Significant improvements were shown by the Gulf Arab countries, Bangladesh, Brunei, and Jordan.
Comparing Muslim country averages for the chosen vital IWI indicators with World Average Values, shows that Muslim countries fare better than World averages in the religiosity fields, national homicide rates, family well-being indicators, Gini coefficient, and Islamic financial development.
Muslim countries in general perform relatively better than non-Muslim countries in building stronger families, which can explain higher population growth in the Muslim world compared to non-Muslims.
Incorporating Research & Development as % GDP indicator for the first time was timely in exhibiting the extreme deficiency of spending by Muslim countries, which is only one-sixth of the World Average for countries.
Muslim Countries surely must prioritise increasing such spending in their national budgets, so as to enhance national well-being.
Will Malaysian Muslims retain their lead in 2024? May The Almighty grant them and the Ummah generally, every success.
Feedback is welcome. Please forward to Dr Daud at [email protected]
Source: https://www.amust.com.au/2023/11/malaysia-regains-leadership-in-the-2023-islamic-well-being-index-for-muslim-countries/