Islamic Economy Philosophy in Kinalizade Ali Çelebi Perspective

This paper revives the Ottoman Islamic economic philosophy of Kınalızâde Ali Çelebi (1510–1572) by analyzing his foundational text, Ahlâk-ı 'Alai. We establish that Kınalızâde’s concept of 'Ilm-i Tedbir-i Menzil (the Science of Domestic Economy/Oikonomia) is not merely household management but a comprehensive framework integrating material needs with spiritual and moral integrity (fazilet). Crucially, this study demonstrates the contemporary relevance of Kınalızâde’s thought as an ethical critique of modern consumption. By prioritizing the menzil (home) as a space for virtue politics that prevents rezilet (negative morals) and avoids waste, Kınalızâde’s philosophy offers a timeless therapeutic against the pressures of debt, excessive consumption, and market manipulation prevalent in today’s capitalist system. We argue that his vision—where economics is inseparable from morality and driven by the search for God's approval—provides a necessary historical and ethical counter-model to modern economic individualism.