Main Principles of Islamic Work Ethic and Ethic-Civilizations Relationship in Ibn Khaldun

Abstract

The term of ahlak has two meaning in Turkish language. The first meaning is ethic or morality which refers to accepted ethical rules and principles in a society. The second meaning is ethics which refers to philosophical search for what is good or what is bad. The term of business ethics includes work ethic and professional ethic. Main principle of İslâm is unity of God (tawhid). This principle has also effects on business life. It should be noted that Prophet Muhammad was dealing with trade and business in his early life. There are four other principles in Islamic business ethics: balance, free will, responsibility and charity. Equivalent of trade guilds of the West in Ottoman society is Ahîlik Brotherhood. This brotherhood was established as a guild of traders and merchants by Horasan Yesevi Dervishes during the Turkification of Anatolia in the 11th Century. Ahîlik Brotherhoods affected Turkish business life in ethics, education, science, quality, standards, consumer relations, and control of production. Muslim societies experienced an economic decline starting from 16th century. This economic decline encouraged fatalism instead of individualism. Attitudes toward wealth, money and time in Islam is not so different from Catholic and Protestant societies. Perhaps attitudes to usury is the only difference. Wealth is not considered as an undesired situation in Islam because of the Islamic maxim of “giving is better than getting.”. Ibn Khaldun studied about civilization process of human societies especially of civilization of nomadic Arab tribes. Military and bureaucratic organization was explained by the improvement of sword owners (Salafiyya) and pen owners (Kalamiyya) classes. Trade and craft activities was not omitted in Ibn Khaldun’s writings. He discusses in detailed relationship between civilization and ethical decline. He believes that city life and civilization degenerates personal virtues and ethical standards. We can find his thoughts about business ethics in the second volume of Al-Mukaddima’s section of Muhtasib and Coins discussion.The term of ahlak has two meaning in Turkish language. The first meaning is ethic or morality which refers to accepted ethical rules and principles in a society. The second meaning is ethics which refers to philosophical search for what is good or what is bad. The term of business ethics includes work ethic and professional ethic. Main principle of İslâm is unity of God (tawhid). This principle has also effects on business life. It should be noted that Prophet Muhammad was dealing with trade and business in his early life. There are four other principles in Islamic business ethics: balance, free will, responsibility and charity. Equivalent of trade guilds of the West in Ottoman society is Ahîlik Brotherhood. This brotherhood was established as a guild of traders and merchants by Horasan Yesevi Dervishes during the Turkification of Anatolia in the 11th Century. Ahîlik Brotherhoods affected Turkish business life in ethics, education, science, quality, standards, consumer relations, and control of production. Muslim societies experienced an economic decline starting from 16th century. This economic decline encouraged fatalism instead of individualism. Attitudes toward wealth, money and time in Islam is not so different from Catholic and Protestant societies. Perhaps attitudes to usury is the only difference. Wealth is not considered as an undesired situation in Islam because of the Islamic maxim of “giving is better than getting.”. Ibn Khaldun studied about civilization process of human societies especially of civilization of nomadic Arab tribes. Military and bureaucratic organization was explained by the improvement of sword owners (Salafiyya) and pen owners (Kalamiyya) classes. Trade and craft activities was not omitted in Ibn Khaldun’s writings. He discusses in detailed relationship between civilization and ethical decline. He believes that city life and civilization degenerates personal virtues and ethical standards. We can find his thoughts about business ethics in the second volume of Al-Mukaddima’s section of Muhtasib and Coins discussion.