TODAY, both profit and non-profit organisations have to balance an increasing array of conflicting forces facing them.
Despite that, organisations can stay on course if they can develop an inner strength among their workers through enhancing their practice of right principles or values based on religion in the organisational system.
Management experts are of the opinion that this inculcation of values is necessary to enable both individuals and organisations to thrive and grow.
Islam, from the beginning, has insisted on individuals and organisations to subscribe to religious values if they want to grow healthier, stronger, and more productive.
The knowledge of the importance of such values and ways to inculcate them among individuals are thus relevant in our quest for a knowledge-based economy (K-economy).Values, which can be defined as ideals or principles accepted by a given society, have to be understood from the religious perspective.
They cannot be understood solely by the human mind. There is a limit for man to understand the requirements of his human nature.
Islam, being a revealed religion, understands very well the human requirements, and thus its approaches to values are universal and practical in nature.
In this modern society, one should not assume that the nature of man has changed. His urges and needs are the same.
Similarly, with the kind of problems that he encounters, the passions and pleasures, the hatred and jealousies of man are, in most cases, similar to those experienced in the past.
It is with this view of the unchanging nature of man that Islam insists that individuals learn from the past by not repeating the mistakes of their predecessors.
Islam, which encompasses all aspects of man’s existence, was revealed by Allah to educate and develop men to enable them to realise a proper environment for the organisation and society to prosper through the establishment of a sound system.
Its religious worldview, principles, and values are dynamic and relevant to the creation of quality individuals and a productive society.
Islam believes that an individual devoid of values will be groping in the dark. This can create great confusion in him in leading his life.
This view is also being recognised by Western scholars. The practice of values in human lives is to overcome the feeling of “anomie”–disillusionment, isolation and hopelessness–a mental disease common in modern society.
Having individuals who do not practise values in their lives can be a great catastrophe to an organisation, as well as to society.
In our march towards a developed and progressive society through the K-economy, the practice of truthfulness, justice, tolerance, and brotherhood among our people is essential.
Without these values, our effort to realise Vision 2020 will not succeed.
Men, who make up society, have to be developed in all dimensions.
Their spiritual outlook, worldview, attitude, character, intellect, and skills are components that require proper learning, coaching, and training.
In this process the inculcation of Islamic values is definitely of prime importance for the K-economy.
This objective can be realised through the following steps.
Firstly, Islamic values can best be inculcated and adopted once man has comprehensive knowledge about Islam.
Proper understanding can lead him to a genuine commitment and develop in him confidence about the relevance and dynamism of Islamic values.
Allah says: “Those who know and those who don’t, will they ever be equal?” (Quran 39:9).
Secularisation among the Muslims began when they failed to understand Islam in its totality.
This confusion leads to their failure to see the relevance and dynamism of Islamic values as the winning formula in leading a successful life in the present competitive era.
Secondly, besides having proper knowledge and understanding, man needs to foster a close relationship with the Almighty Creator, Allah, through spiritual exercises.
Man cannot properly develop his character and personality without having this relationship with Allah.
The rupturing of this relationship results in disaster for man. Past civilisations have proven this and contemporary human civilisation would, likewise, testify to this truth.
Islam believes the spiritualisation of man is to develop a character that is purposeful, courageous, just and benevolent.
Man needs to perform obligatory rituals and, if possible, to improve their practice of commendable rituals in order to be closer to Allah.
A spiritually-developed man can practise values easily in his daily life.
Thirdly, the role played by the organisation and social culture in creating a conducive environment for man to practise values is another important factor.
Being a social being, man cannot operate in isolation.
Abu Ali Ahmad Miskawayh, a Muslim philosopher and historian, expounds the theory that man is social by nature.
This means that man needs an organised and just society where he can perfect his nature.
Miskawayh believes man can improve in piety only through mixing with people and sharing their sorrows and pleasures.
Virtuous qualities can be developed collectively and by living in co-operation with others.
As a result of good culture adopted by the organisation and society, an individual can enhance his human values much easier.
Fourthly, the quality of leadership of the organisation and society can also have great influence on the practice of Islamic values.The best approach to inculcating values is through leadership by example.
We, in Malaysia have correctly adopted this principle. Leaders are the best models for people to emulate. Everybody looks upon his leaders for examples.Being the leader of humanity, the Prophet of Islam is always the model for Muslims to emulate and follow.
By having a clear and perfect model, Muslims should be less confused as to how they should behave.
Unfortunately, the lack of knowledge makes them ignorant about their own religion.
The confused mind of the present secular society is largely caused by the absence of a model that people can follow.
Every individual who has public appeal becomes a model for the society. This model will keep on changing from time to time and from one place to another.In our approach to adopt Islamic values in our lives for our K-economy, we must not be over-zealous and rigid.
We must understand the social realities, be practical and optimistic about the evolutionary process for success.
Islam was not built in a day. It took the Prophet 23 years to realise a solid Muslim society.