Muslim Civilization has experienced an overall decline during the last five centuries after having undergone a long period of prosperity and comprehensive development. This raises a number of questions such as what factors enabled Muslims to become successful during the earlier centuries of Islam and what lead them to their present weak position. Is it Islam which is responsible for this decline or are there some other factors which come into play? Dr Chapra in this penetrating study has tried to answer these questions thoroughly and has then discussed a reform programme that could help reverse the cycle of decline.