Hidden within the ancient traditions of the Middle East lies a wealth philosophy that built empires — and it’s finally available to the Western world. The ancient Middle Eastern wealth philosophy focuses on principles of community prosperity, ethical commerce, and dynamic capital circulation.

Traditions from Mesopotamia to the Islamic Golden Age emphasized that wealth is a tool for collective development and must be reinvested to sustain an empire’s growth. Baghdad thrived by reducing the amount of time it took for commerce, and by making long-distance trade more efficient.

In many Middle Eastern traditions, earning is encouraged, but it comes with a moral imperative to engage in honest, non-exploitative trade and to distribute wealth through charity and social welfare. The sociologist Ibn Khaldun believed that the wealth and empire building of the dynasties rely on social cohesion.

Group solidarity and moral integrity are what initially build empires, while luxury and individualism eventually cause them to decline according to this philosophy.

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