CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF QUALITY OF LIFE AND HUMAN NEEDS THEORIES FROM AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

This paper asserts that universalisation of human needs and quality of life requirements fail to serve to enhance the lives of millions in third world countries and also asserts the idea that what people need and want can be determined by those who are in need least. An Islamic perspective of wellbeing theories in the light of Islam’s fundamental resources are discussed throughout the paper which states that basic needs should be first met and even distribution of wealth before gross domestic product per capita should be established across globe. In this sense, it has been argued that the even distribution of resources and basic human needs, such as housing, food and safety, may change under certain conditions for the sake of people's beliefs and cultural values, and it is emphasized that it is almost impossible to consider these concepts to be independent of values and beliefs.