Islamic Business Ethics and Christians - Research Paper Example

Outline Introduction of major Religious traditions in Islamic business Religious traditions in Christian business Compare and contrast Conclusion Islamic Business Ethics and Christians Introduction The concept of ethical leadership is vastly becoming recognized in the business world, partly because of the highly publicised cases of exposing case of exposing unethical practises or issues that are either internal or external to the business. Privatisation of firms has been a momentous revolution for the government in forcing such firms to finance their own dealing. However, this generated rising cases of scandals of mismanagement of funds and corporate greed that had detrimental effects on society causing a lot public outcry. Religions such as Islam and Christianity have thoughtful and religious concepts that may underpin the ethical business theories. Islamic and Christianity have caused an increase in business ethical arguments concerning relations of firms with globalization and secularization. Religion is considered as the benchmark of moral values. It addresses morality questions of what is right and wrong in business matters. The role of faith and religious beliefs on ethical business practices in a community has been questioned. The conventional teachings of Islam and Christianity on trade ethics correlated issues such as values, legal codes of behaviour on the control of a business, the workplace and wealth attainment and use highly affect a business management. Description of major Ethical and moral issues in businesses are raised in cases involving bribery, corruption, fraud and cheating. Religion is also critical in ethical matters dealing with discrimination, injustice and rights of employees, customers and stakeholders as well as other values in business (O’Brien and Scott, 35). Islam is the only major religion in the world that was founded by a businessperson. Islam has been known to have tranquillity toward the profession of the merchant. The Quran and the Bible are integral in providing ethical and moral guidance from the faith perspective about business management. Religious traditions in Islamic business In secular civilizations, legal analysis are footed upon modern and always transient values and standards; in the Islamic community, these ideals and principles are guided by the Shari’ah and reference to other previous judgements (O’Brien and Scott, 38). For instance, Islam has provided women with enduring and unalienable privileges and has never differentiated against minorities. The Islamic law analysis underpins highlights on equity and justice. The Quran contains some details pertaining to contract law. This shows the significance of contracts as the Quran gives few laws and little legal details. The law corresponds to the accepted edict of the physical sciences, to be discovered instead of inventing. Islam requires certain behaviour from consumers and producers. The behaviour provided for the fiscal units of the civilization is devised to provide a happy state of affairs with Islam as the ultimate goal. There are certain instances in Islamic commercial transactions without which business contract would be considered as lacking perfection regarding the code of moral etiquette, decency and ethical quality (Mitchell, 74). In Islam, mutual approval between the involved parties is a requirement for the legality of a business deal. Therefore, a sale in force is not tolerable in Islam. Exploiting one’s predicament and charging elevated prices is a way of financial abuse and as such not approved in Islam. Islam promotes truthfulness in business transactions and increases the status of a truthful businessperson so much such that he evidences parity with the sanctified persons in the Hereafter. Trustworthiness is one of the chief doctrines of ethical business in industrial transactions. Trust is amoral virtue and duty serving on a Muslim in the feat of his activities. It stresses honesty in work and transparency of purpose from every believer. A Muslim, therefore will not put worldly gain before his principles. Therefore, he will strive to evade fraud, dishonesty, and other doubtful means in selling their produce. Religious traditions in Christianity business Christianity business ethics are critical in a dealer’s running of business in a manner that honours, and pleases God. These, however, sometimes becomes challenging making it impossible for people to incorporate them into their business (Mitchell, 73). Either a Christian approach can be described by the natural law, which mostly followed by most Roman Catholics or a situation ethics approach which appeals to protestant Christians. The philosophical part of ethics is endeavours to derive the standards through which a person’s activities can be appraised. Christians believe that all human behaviour is subject to God’s law, which is the universally set, the standard for appropriate behaviour. These standards are applicable to business just as they are to all other aspects of people’s community (O’Brien and Scott, 44). The bible condemns money lending for interest. There are several teachings that condemn greed, which considered one of the deadliest sins. The bible teaches that love for money is wrong, as it is the core of all evils. Christians feel that greed for money strays one from his faith, therefore, calling for Christians not to start a business purely for money. The Christian religion advocates for objectivity, non-discrimination in businesses thus calling equal treatment of all people for all are equal before God’s eyes. There is no one who is superior to others, thus as God’s children Christians should aim to conduct business in a manner that does not exploit others (Mitchell, 172). Compare and contrast The Islamic ethical, structure varies from secular ethical systems and the ethical code backed by other religions. All through the development, the secular models supposed moral codes that were transitory and myopic since they were founded on the principles of their human founders such as happiness. Christianity by its overstressing on monasticism promotes its enthusiasts to leave the daily hustle and bustle of life. Conversely, the ethical code entrenched in Islamic morals emphasises on the relation of man and their creator. The Christians and their teachings condemn usury, as it is not considered a Christian teaching. However, the Islamic teachings do no prohibit usury as long as mutual agreement is observed. When comparing Islamic business ethics with present day western business ethics there are several similarities. Issues such as discrimination, corruption, occupation harassment, conflict of interests and layoffs are all issues, which are common in both Islamic and Christian religion. Islamic religion ethics provides that both Muslims and non-Muslims observe the business contracts provided for while the Christian one is somehow liberal. It is not as restrictive to non-Christians as the Islamic religion (O’Brien and Scott, 88). Conclusion Christian and Islamic religion is integral in affecting how people carry out their businesses. They provide for observance of what is moral and legally right based on religious teachings that guide people through their faith. Although the two religions have different approaches, about ethical values, they both provide for just and fair business that is aimed in not exploiting others. They call for business ethics that are level and treat all equally for the benefit of the whole society. Works Cited Mitchell, Charles. A Short Course in International Business Ethics: Combining Ethics and Profits in Global Business. Petaluma, CA: World Trade Press, 2009. Internet resource. OBrien, Thomas and Scott, Paeth. Religious Perspectives on Business Ethics. Lanham, Md: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2006. Print. Read More