Lecture#1D_2 Environment in Islamic Management

8/2/2019 Lecture#1D_2 Environment in Islamic Management

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Environment in Islamic Management

Muhammad Mokhter Ahmad

Associate ProfessorIIUC-Dhaka Campus

[email protected]

+8801712540089
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Environment in Islamic Management

Environment and the Corporate Culture:

The Concept of the Environment in Islam

The External Environment of an Organization

General Environment for ManagersTechnological Environment

Socio-Cultural Environment

Economic Environment Task Environment for Managers


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Environment and the Corporate Culture:

The Concept of the Environment in Islam:1. Humans and Environment are closer: Islam guides one

to live righteously in every aspect of his or her life, which alsoimplies coexisting righteously with the most common encounterof everyones daythe air, the ground, and food. The Qurandeclares that the environment of the Earth around us and all ofits inhabitants are equally worthy of respect & justice and

should not be subject to abuse. Islamic teachings also show whyclimate change causes such huge moral and ethical stress, sinceits effects are widespread, hurting the earth and all the speciesthat dwell on it, including humans.

There is not an animal (That lives) on the earth, Nor a being

that flies On its wings, but (forms Part of) communities like you.Nothing have we omitted From the Book, and they (all) Shall begathered to their Lord In the end. (6:38)

This verse shows that animals are close to human beings. Thusthose should not be hurt in any way.


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2. All Creatures glorify Allah: The key importance ofthese verses is that all ofGods creatures glorify and worship

Him. If we are heedless and arrogant in our treatment ofthese creatures, we would be treating these sound, pure

beings unjustly.

The seven heavens and the earth, And all beings therein,

declare His glory: There is not a thing but celebrates His praise; And yet ye understand not how they declare His

glory! Verily He is Oft-Forbearing, Most Forgiving!

(17:44)

See you not that it is God Whose praises all beings in theheavens and on earth do celebrate, and the birds with

wings outspread? Each one knows its own prayer and

praise. And God knows well all that they do. (24:41)


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3. Humans are a part of Creation: Humans are not theonly beings who traverse this planet, or even this universe, butthey are a part of this great intertwining system, and shouldtreat what they interact with in a very respectful manner. They

should not commit any waste or excess while dealing withthem:

And the earth We have spread out (Like a carpet); set thereonMountains firm and immovable; And produced therein all kinds of thingsin due balance. And We have provided therein Means of subsistence,

for you And for whose sustenance Ye are not responsible. (15:19-20)

Yusuf Ali gives a very thorough explanation of this verse: Majesty,order, beauty, and harmony are shown in all Gods Creation, butespecially in the heavens. And every kind of thing is produced onthe earth in due balance and measure. The mineral kingdomsupports the vegetable, and they in their turn support the animal,

and there is a link of mutual dependence between them. Excess iseliminated. The waste of one is made the food of another, and viceversa. And this is in an infinite chain of gradation and inter-dependence. We provide for them [other beings on earth] also, asthey are Our creatures. But there is due order and balance in theeconomy of Our universal Plan (Ali 640).


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Principles of Environmental Protection in Islam

There are three key principles of the Prophets philosophy ofnature. They are based on Quranic teachings and concepts of

tawhid(unity), khalifah (stewardship), & amana (trust).A. Tawhid: It essentially means that there is one absolute

Creator and that each person is responsible solely to him fortheir actions. Gods knowledge and power cover everything;therefore, abusing any of his creations, whether a living being

or a natural resource, is a sin. Also, all ofGods creations areequal before God, and the Prophet maintained that animals,land, forests, and watercourses should have rights (35:27-28).

B. Khilafah: Human beings have a privileged position amongGods creations and are chosen as khalifas, or vice-regents.

Therefore, mankind are responsible of caring for Godsearthly creations. The Quran also warns humans againstarrogance because we are no better than other creatures(6:38).

The Prophet said: The world is sweet and green (alluring) andverily God is going to install you as vicegerent (khalifah) in it inorder to see how you act (Sahih Muslim).


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As Allahs vicegerent, they are to ensure that:

Environmental growth is sustained at any rate. The Prophet says:even when its the end of time, if you have a seed in your hand,

you should plant it. Similarly, humans are meant to share the earths resources. The

Prophet said, Muslims share alike in three thingswater,herbage, and fire, and he considered it a sin to withhold waterfrom the thirsty. No one can refuse surplus water without sinning

against Allah and against man (Mishkat al Masabih). Components of Environment are to be protected:

It is said that Prophet Mohammed, in the Raid of Mutah, said,Neverkill a woman, a weak infant, or a debilitated old person; norburn palms, uproot trees, or pull down houses! (Islamic Web

2006).Dont make your stomach a grave yard of innocent birds andanimals (Jabir 2001-2005).

It is significantly understood that the Prophet explicitly protectedtrees from human destruction, even one is not permitted to be

imbalanced while killing animals for ones needs.


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C) Amanah: According to Islam, human beings are not theabsolute owner of natural elements. They are allowed to enjoy

and use them for their benefits, but not to exploit or abusethem in any harmful way. Because these are AllahsAmanah

(trust) for them. If they embezzle it they will be held

accountable.

The Prophet (SAW) told his companions that:i. They should not pollute water, nor should they waste water

when taking wudhu, even if they were at a river.

ii. They should, at the time of slaughtering animals for food,

treat the animal with kindnessiii. They should never over-burden an animal with a heavy

weight that it will struggle to carry.


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Islam & the Environment

Legal & ethical reasons to protect environment

1. Preserve its values as a sign of the Creator

2. Components continuous praise of Creator

3. Absolute continuity of Creator (sunnah)

4. Beings worthy of protection & kind treatment (hurmah)5. Human relationships are established on justice &

kindness

6. Universe created by God must be preserved

7. Not for this generation alone; all ages8. Duty of humans to protect environment, no other

creature can


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Comprehensive Nature

of Ethics Two principles

1. Natural instinct Imprinted by God

Between good & evil

Neutral

neither good orbad

2. Messengers from God Complexities

Cannot define correct

Not in vacuum

Inspired by God Conscience approves

Accepts

Valued guidance

Desire what God loves &

wants

Virtue part of the whole

Way of life Serves to guide & control

Truthfulness Protecting

Conserving

Sustaining Political, Social, &

Economic Not on human reason

Not on societys mandate

Not on economic groups

These are based oncircumstances

Ethics unalterable as time

and space


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Islam & the Environment Human-Environment

Enjoy, use, benefit

Preserve, protect,promote

All creatures areGods dependents Responsible for:

Trees

Animals

All natural elements

Muhammad prayer for rain For trees in drought

For animals dying for lackof water

Humans not punished Because of elderly,

babies, animals

Earth, place of peace& rest Humans made of earth

(dust) & water

Brought forth from earth

Earth often named, so

important Subservient to humans

Receptacle of living &dead

Source of purity

Place of worship

Source of blessing

To be cared for byhumanity


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Islam & the EnvironmentSustainable Care of Nature

Utilization Not unnecessary

destruction

Not to squander

Continued use in a

sustainable way Muhammad (saas)

Act in your life as thoughyou are living forever andact for the Hereafter as ifyou are dying tomorrow.

When doomsday comes ifsomeone has a palm shootin his hand he should plantit.

Life is maintained with duebalance in everything.

Every part of Gods creationwas carefully made to fit intothe general system.

Not only for the currentgeneration Umar ibn al-Khattab &

Khuzaymah ibn Thabit Neglected land

Old man close to death

Planted land together

5 times a day, prayer starts Praise be to Allah, Lord of

the Worlds.

Submit to Creator of all

World sign of the Creator


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Practice of Environmental

Ethics Muslim Communities

Protection of certain

zones/special use areas

(hima)

1. Maintain some land in

unused state

2. Limited to avoid

inconvenience3. Not built on or cultivated

4. For the welfare of the

people

Hima

Grazing area for thelivestock of the poor

To protect wildlife

Harim

Inviolable zones

Wells

Natural springs

Underground water

channels Rivers

Trees planted on barrenland


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Managers relationship to the Environment

Islam considers a managers relationship to theenvironment is central and vital:

a) Who loves Allah, cares about Him and His injunctions will

care about His creations, never violate against them, making

them objects of his exploitation, taking everything fromthem, giving them nothing in return.

b) A manager will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment

for any adversary he commits to the nature.

Thus if a manager does maintain environmentalethics he will certainly bring the whole existence on

earth to danger.


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Two Levels of Environmental

Protection by Muslim Managers

Islam considers a managers environmental

protection into two ways:

a) External Environmental Protection.

b) Internal Environmental Protection.


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The External Environment of any OrganizationThe external environment comprises two layers:

A) General Environment for Managers: It represents the outer layerof environment. It influences the organization over time, maynot be on day-to-day basis. It has many dimensions, elements:- Technology - Socio-Cultural matters

- Economical matters - Legal-Political matters

1. Technology: Though there is no direct term meaning technology

in the Quran and Sunnah, still many instances are there in therevealed sources regarding its use; such as: Shipbuilding,Navigation, Metallurgy, Construction, and Information, andCommunication Technology

- Shipbuilding by Noah: The Quran says: But construct theArk under Our own eyes and Our revelation, and plea not withMe regarding those who committed injustice, they will surelybe drowned. And so, he proceeds to make the Ark.(Hood, 11:37)

- Allah also taught Dawood to manufacture battle equipment,It was We who taught him the making of coats of mail for yourbenefit, to guard you from each others violence: will you then

be grateful. (Anbiyah 21:80)


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2. Socio-Cultural Environment: Today, Managers aretotally absorbed for material progress at the cost of other things. TheProphet showed through his Madinan experience how should amanager develop society and culture:

o Bringing a pagan society to enlightenmento Creating a world-class state in Madinah

o Ensuring harmonized co-existence between different communitiesin Madinah

o

Ensuring overall developmentA manager should know how to maintain relationship between:

1 Allah and human beings: 2. human beings and the society:

3 between human beings and other human beingsOne must be at peace with earth to be at peach with heaven. Relation between

a manager and environment is not that of a manager and prostitute, but of

husband and married wife from whom he gets & to whom he is responsible.

Man is not fallen in Islam, as it is in Christianity. The first [man]ager and

[woman]ager are forgiven for their sin.

Human beings are composition of material and spiritual needs, Allah is his

ultimate source of values, and he believes in Life after Death.


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3. Economical Environment:The Economic policyof a manager should be characterized with the followingtraits:

1. Muslims are discouraged to deal in Interest2. To gain property or wealth by fraud, deceit, theft, or by other

means of falsehoods is forbidden.

3. It is particularly despiteful for a guardian to take from the

property of an orphan.4. Forbidden are earnings made through gambling, lotteries, and the

production, the sale, and the distribution of alcohol.

5. It is unlawful for Muslims to hoard food and other basic

necessities.6. Everyone should be allowed what is necessary and no more

7. A Muslim should be responsible in his/her spending of money.

Extravagance and wastage of matters are strongly discouraged.

8. Payment of Zakat.

9. Muslims are encouraged to constantly offer charity.


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The Council of Muslim Religion: A group who aids

and advices the kings or rulers for matters Islamic,

rather than Islamic Law The Mufti and Fatwa Committee: To aid and advice

the rulers or kings for all matters of Islamic Law

The Shariah Court: Comprising three layers of

Shariah Subordinate Court, Shariah High Court, and

the Shariah Court of Appeal, responsible for the

administration of justice.

3. Legal and Political Environment: TheMalaysian experience may be noteworthy here: It

enacted a rule for the provinces for three interactive

institutions:

Th I t l E i t T k


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The Internal Environment: Task

Environment for the managers

This refers to inner layer of an organization likeroutine tasks of the workers and the managers.

In Islam there is no high power distance nor low. TheProphet said: Someone who fails to be affectionate

to the young, respect elderly, and accords highhonour to the scholars, do not belong to me {being aMuslim}.

This is obtained through:

a) Islamic human motivationb) Practicing endurance (sabr)

c) High level of commitment

d) Job loyalty through inculcatingIkhlas


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Check list

What is the relation between managers and environment?What is the concept of environment in Islam?

What are the principles of environmental protection in Islam?

How does amanah relates to the environmental protection?

What is your responsibility as a manager to the society? Doyou perform any social responsibility?

What should an ideal Islamic attitude towards technology?

What is your economic duty as a Muslim Manager? Are you

engaged in un-Islamic/illegal income?

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Lecture#1D_2 Environment in Islamic Management

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