FOREWORD

of various fields to come forward with works that highlight those aspects of their disciplines that may provide a basis for dialogue, promote cultural discussion and help in mutual understanding between East and West. This provided a context to examine the contributions of Muslim scholars to evolution and development of economic thought. Dr. Islahi undertook this task. The findings have been very encouraging. The present study documents the multidimensional linkages and influences in general and in the area of economic thought in particular, up to the 9th/15th century, between the Islamic civiliza-tion and Medieval European culture. The book highlights Muslim contributions to economic thought, an area which has received little attention by economists. Earlier works by Islamic economists, some of them sponsored and published by this Center, have heightened, not lessened, the need for further research as they indicated possible linkages with mainstream economic thought. The present work seeks to determine the role of medieval Muslim scholars in the evolution of mainstream economics and to find out their impact on the scholastic doctors and mercantilists. In defining the place and importance of Muslim scholars in the medieval period, the present work may also likely benefit Western economists, who admit on their part the existence of a great gap between ancient Greek thought and scholastic thought but are unable to explain it. The author’s conclusion high-lights the importance of further research on the link between Islamic economics and Western economic thought. The list of references will be helpful to economists interested in further research on the subject