Islamic Work Ethic in Organizations: Principles, Practices and Contemporary Challenges

Authors

  • Adila Abdullah Centre for Islamic, General and Language Studies, Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia (UPTM)
  • Norazmi Anas Academy of Contemporary Islamic Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Perak Branch, Tapah Campus, Tapah Road, Perak, Malaysia
  • Wan Saudah Wan Azli Academy of Contemporary Islamic Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Perak Branch, Seri Iskandar Campus
  • Mohd Erfino Johari Centre for Islamic, General and Language Studies, Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia (UPTM)
  • Mohammad Khairuddin Majidillah Centre for Islamic, General and Language Studies, Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia (UPTM)
  • Humairaa Hasan Institute of Professional Studies, UPTM
  • Anis Abdullah Munif Hijjaz Marketing Sdn. Bhd.
  • Jonathan Newton Faculty of Education, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand

Keywords:

Islamic work ethic, principles, practices, challenges

Abstract

Qualitative case study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with seven Malaysian experts to explore the principles, practices, and contemporary challenges of the Islamic work ethic in organizations. The Islamic work ethic is rooted in tawhid, which emphasizes work as worship (ibadah) and as a sacred trust (amanah) for which every human is accountable. Practically manifested through professionalism, integrity, trustworthiness (amanah), benevolence (ihsan), precision (itqan), and its practice faces internal and external challenges. Consequently, the appreciation of Islamic values and their deep embedding in an organizational work culture can strengthen governance, integrity, and the effectiveness and sustainability of an organization's performance.

Author Biographies

Adila Abdullah, Centre for Islamic, General and Language Studies, Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia (UPTM)

CIGLS, UPTM

Wan Saudah Wan Azli, Academy of Contemporary Islamic Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Perak Branch, Seri Iskandar Campus

ACIS, UiTM

Mohd Erfino Johari, Centre for Islamic, General and Language Studies, Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia (UPTM)

CIGLS, UPTM

Mohammad Khairuddin Majidillah, Centre for Islamic, General and Language Studies, Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia (UPTM)

CIGLS, UPTM

Humairaa Hasan, Institute of Professional Studies, UPTM

IPS, UPTM

Anis Abdullah, Munif Hijjaz Marketing Sdn. Bhd.

Munif Hijjaz Marketing Sdn. Bhd.

Jonathan Newton, Faculty of Education, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand

FE, VUW

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Published

2026-02-25

How to Cite

Abdullah, A., Anas, N., Wan Azli, W. S., Johari, M. E., Majidillah, M. K., Hasan, H., Abdullah, A., & Newton, J. (2026). Islamic Work Ethic in Organizations: Principles, Practices and Contemporary Challenges. Environment-Behaviour Proceedings Journal, 11(36). Retrieved from https://ebpj.e-iph.co.uk/index.php/EBProceedings/article/view/7783

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 36 (2026): Apr. AcE-Bs2026Kuching, Malaysia, 27-28 Mar 2026 (DRAFT)

Section

Working Environment

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Adila Abdullah, Norazmi Anas, Wan Saudah Wan Azli, Mohd Erfino Johari, Mohammad Khairuddin Majidillah, Humairaa Hasan, Anis Abdullah, Jonathan Newton

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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