Divine Guidance
Many Qur’anic and Prophetic teachings on management skills can be derived from the revealed knowledge and authentic sources. According to fiṭrah, Allah has not created everyone equally because an equal entity may not work for each other. The wisdom in management is to have different entities working to achieve the same goal.
“We raise some of them above others in ranks, so that some may command work from others…” (Az-Zukhruf 43:32).
Also, leadership is the essential principle of management. The most qualified one will lead others who are less capable of safeguarding everybody’s interest in sharing and exchanging great values.
“When three men travel together, they should make one of them their leader.” (Sunan Abu Dawud, No. 2608).
Next is joint consultations. Shūrā was the traditional practice among Muslim leaders from the beginning. Prophet and his companions always were seeking others’ opinions before they make final decision socially and politically.
{…and those who do their work through mutual consultation.} (Ash-Shura 42:38)
{…pass over (their faults), and ask for (God’s) forgiveness for them; and consult them in affairs (of moment). Then, when you have taken a decision put your trust in God, for God loves those who put their trust (in Him).} (Aal `Imran 3:159)
Here are some characteristics of management which were referred in Holy Qur’an and Sunnah
| Characteristics of Management | Related contents from Holy Qur’an and Sunnah |
|---|---|
| Respect for Authority | [An-Nisaa’ 4:59] “Obey Allah and His Messenger and those in position of authority among you.” |
| Equal Opportunities | [Al-Hujurat 49:13] “O people we created you from a single male and female couple and then divided you in nations and tribes so that you may recognize one another. Verily the most honorable among you in the sight of Allah is he who is most righteous of you.” |
| Commitment | [Aal `Imran 3:159] “(telling the Prophet) if you had been stern and fierce of heart they (the companions and followers) would have disappeared from around you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the conduct of affairs” |
| Command | [Al-Anbiya’ 21:22] “If there were in the heavens and the earth, other gods, besides Allah, both heavens and earth would be in ruins.” |
| Organizational Interests than Individual | Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said “I swear by the one who owns my life, nobody can be honest, unless and until he like the things for his brother (other Muslims) that he likes for himself.” (Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Hadith 77) |
| Remuneration | Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) says that the worker must be paid before drying his sweat, this helps to keep your workers and employees happy. (Sunan Ibn Majah, Book 16, Hadith 2537) |
| Elimination of Waste | [Al-Israa’ 17:26] “And render to the kindred their due rights, as (also) to those in want, and to the wayfarer. But waste not (your wealth, time, health, Talents, opportunities etc) in the manner of a spendthrift.” [Al-Israa’ 17:27] “For the wasteful are the brothers of Satan; and Satan is ungrateful to his Lord.” [Al-A`raf 7:31] “O Children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer: eat and drink: But waste not by excess, for Allah loves not the wasters.” |
| Optimum Capacity Utilization | [Al-Baqarah 2:233] “No soul shall have a burden laid on it greater than it can bear…” [Al-Baqarah 2:286] “On no soul doth Allah place a burden greater than it can bear… (Pray) Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear.” |
| Quality Management System | [Al-A`raf 7:85] “…Give just measure and weight, nor withhold from the people the things that are their due; and do no mischief on the earth after it has been set in order: that will be best for you, if ye have Faith.” [Hud 11:84-85] “O my people! Worship Allah. Ye have no other god but Him. And give not short measure or weight: I see you in prosperity, but I fear for you the penalty of a day that will compass (you) all rounds. “And O my people! Give just measure and weight, nor withhold from the people the things that are their due: commit not evil in the land with intent to do mischief.” [Al-Isra’ 17:35] “Give full measure when ye measure, and weigh with a balance that is straight: do not withhold from people (including customers) the things that are their due; …woe to those who deal in fraud…” [Al-Shu`ara’: 26:181-182] “Give just measure, and cause no loss (to others by fraud). And weigh with scales true and upright.” [Ar-Rahman 55:7-9] “And the Firmament has He raised high, and He has set up the Balance (of Justice), in order that ye may not transgress (due) balance. So establish weight with justice and fall not short in the balance.” [Al-Mutafifin 83:1-3] “Woe to those that deal in fraud,- Those who, when they have to receive by measure from men, exact full measure, But when they have to give by measure or weight to men, give less than due. Do they not think that they will be called to account?” |
| Contracts, Commitments, & Promises | [Al-Israa’ 17:34] “Fulfill your contracts. Contracts will be asked about.” [Al-Nahl 16:91] “Be true to Allah’s contract when you have agreed to it.” [Al-Ma’idah 5:1] “O you who believe! Fulfill your contracts.” [As-Saf 61:2-3] “O you who believe! Why do you say what you do not do? It is deeply abhorrent to Allah that you say what you do not do.” |
| System for Inventory Management | [Al-Baqarah 2:219] “… They ask thee how much they are to spend in the way of Allah; Say: ‘What is beyond your needs.’” (i.e. do not hoard)” [At-Tawbah 9:34] “O ye who believe! … Those who hoard gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah, announce unto them a most grievous penalty.” |
| Visual Control | [Al-Israa’ 17:36] “You shall not accept any information, unless you verify it for yourself. I have given you the hearing, the eyesight, and the brain, and you are responsible for using them.” |
After all the above referrals in Holy Qur’an and Sunnah, it is very crucial to maintain that the project management is regarded in Islam as an outcome of human intellectual capacity depending on his strength of body and soul.
Muslims can go to any extreme level of managing their careers and industries. However, a dedicated Muslim manager will never overlook or ignore his obligatory religious duties over his managerial activities. Failing to follow the spiritual responsibilities will create a substantial negative impact on his project management and carrier.
Pages: 1 2{And be steadfast in prayer and regular in charity: And whatever good ye send forth for your souls before you, ye shall find it with Allah: for Allah sees Well all that ye do.} (2:110)