350 Gillian Rice

TABLE IExamples of ethical principles in Islam relating to business practices

Ethical principle Relevant business practice(s)

Unity

“No Arab has superiority over any non-Arab and no non- Equal opportunity and non-discriminatoryArab has any superiority over an Arab; no dark person has behavior in hiring, buying and selling.superiority over a white person and no white person has anysuperiority over a dark person. The criterion of honor in thesight of God is righteousness and honest living.” Saying of Muhammad (Sallam and Hanafy, 1988).

“O mankind! We created from you from a single (pair) of a Teamwork. International business.male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other . . .” (Qur’an 49:13).

“. . . man can have nothing but what he strives for . . .” Rewards should be received only after (Qur’an 53:39). expending efforts.

“God likes that when someone does anything, it must be Excellence and quality of work.done perfectly well.” Saying of Muhammad (Sallam andHanafy, 1988).

“. . . say, ‘O my Lord! increase me in knowledge.’ ” Importance of knowledge-seeking, research(Qur’an 20:114). and development, scientific activity,

training programs, executive training,“The acquisition of knowledge is a duty incumbent on every technology transfer.Muslim, male and female.” Saying of Muhammad (Sallam andHanafy, 1988).

Trusteeship

“God does command you to render back your trusts to those Fulfilling obligations and trust in business to whom they are due . . .” (Qur’an 4:58) relationships and the workplace.

“. . . wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of It is acceptable to have wealth and to prayer: eat and drink: but waste not by excess . . .” consume but not to waste resources. (Qur’an 7:31). Care for the environment.

“. . . to God belongs all that is in the heavens and on There is no unlimited right to private earth . . .” (Qur’an 3:129). property.

Justice

“. . . God loves not the arrogant, the vainglorious (nor) those Prohibition of hoarding. Encouragement ofwho are niggardly, enjoin niggardliness on others . . .” spending, investment in business enterprise(Qur’an 4:36–7). and circulation of wealth.

“. . . and spend of your substance in the cause of God, and Condemnation of ostentatious consumption.make not your own hands contribute to your destruction; but do good . . .” (Qur’an 2:195).

Islamic Ethics 351

Table I (continued)

Ethical principle Relevant business practice(s)

Justice continued. . . .

“. . . wealth and children are allurements of the life of this Acquisition of wealth is given reducedworld . . .” (Qur’an 18:46). consideration in the scale of human values.

“. . . He has raised you in ranks, some above others: that He Income inequality is permitted.may try you in the gifts that He has given you” (Qur’an 6:165).

“. . . it is We (God) who portion out between them their Distinction between managers, workers,livelihood in the life of this world: and We raise some of professionals, etc. is acceptable.them in ranks so that some may command work of others.But the Mercy of your Lord is better than the (wealth) which they amass.” (Qur’an 43:32).

“. . . of their wealth take alms, so that you might purify and Income redistribution: wealth should be sanctify . . .” (Qur’an 9:103). shared with those less fortunate.

“God permits trade but forbids usurious gain

*.” Unlawfulness of loans by which lender(Qur’an 2:275). obtains benefit.

“. . . give just measure and weight, nor withhold from the Give full measure and weight.people the things that are their due . . .” (Qur’an 11:85).

“He who cheats is not one of us.” Saying of Muhammad Whoever knows of a defect in something is(Keller, 1994). obliged to disclose it.

“. . . don’t outbid one another in order to raise the price, Fairness in contract negotiation.. . . don’t enter into a transaction when others have alreadyentered into that transaction and be as brothers one toanother.” Saying of Muhammad (Hanafy and Sallam, 1988).

“. . . make your utterance straightforward . . .” (Qur’an 33:70). Truthfulness and directness in negotiation.

“On the day of judgment, the honest Muslim merchantwill stand side by side with the martyrs.” Saying ofMuhammad (Ali, 1992).

“. . . stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even Non-discriminatory workplace practices.against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether Protection for “whistle-blowers.” No it be (against) rich and poor.” special privileges for those with wealth or

status.

“. . . nor shall We (God) deprive them (of the fruit) of aught Importance of individual responsibility.of their works: (yet) is each individual in pledge for his deeds.”(Qur’an 52:21).

* In the Qur’an, the Arabic word used is “riba” which lexically means “increment” (Keller, 1994).