The Islamic faith: Implications for business management

Abstract

The literature on faith and spirituality is flourishing and opening horizons for more dialogs and discussions on how employees can integrate their spirituality and religious beliefs at work. While this renaissance is beneficial for employees and organizations, it entails a deep understanding of the underpinnings of spiritual practices, including the most espoused religions. Islam is the second largest religion in the world, and its adherents are present in the five continents of the globe. Despite the diversity of their work practices, they all share the same belief system. The purpose of this chapter is twofold: (1) to explore the foundations of workplace spirituality and identify its main paradigms and (2) to share the key features of Islam and offer some preliminary thoughts on how they can be reflected in the workplace. Ultimately, the intent is to contribute to promoting tolerance and reducing philosophical and cultural misunderstandings.