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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Islamic Business Ethics Introduction It is sometimes said that "business ethics" is an oxymoron. How can one do business and still be an ethical person? Isn't business all about self-interest, greed and making exuberant profits? Yes, it is true that the physical, earthly dimension of a human is based on two main characteristics: greed and anger.

The former attracts whatever it perceives to be beneficial and the latter repels whatever it perceives to be harmful. But the spiritual, heavenly dimension consists of mind and conscience which have the potential of controlling the elements of greed and anger. One whose spiritual powers control the physical powers is indeed an ethical person; and one who lives life only by the elements of anger and greed has not actualized the potential of soaring from the worldly level to the heavenly level.

Adding the adjective "Islamic" to "business ethics" might surprise some. But one has to realize that Islam is more than just a religion in the spiritual sense of the word; it is a way of life. Even the secular aspects of life are greatly influenced by spiritual values. There is no difference between the sphere of worship and the sphere of business; Islamic laws govern the family life of Muslims well as their social conduct.

****** The foundation of Islamic business ethics depends on delineating the purpose of human life. When Adam and Eve as well as the Satan were sent down to the earth, Almighty God declared: “All of you get down from the Garden to the earth, some of you being the enemies of the others, and there is on the earth your abode and the necessities of life for a fixed period of time.” (The Qur'an 2:36) “All of you get down from the Garden.

Once you are on the earth, the guidance will certainly come to you from Me, and then whoever follows My guidance there will be no fear for them nor shall they grieve. But those who do not follow My guidance, who disbelieve and reject Our revelation, they are the inmates of the Fire, in it they shall abide”.

(2:38-39) The Quran further tells us that this earth and its surrounding atmosphere have the resources for us to sustain our lives on it: “Allah is he who created the heavens and the earth, and send down the water from the sky with which He brought forth fruits as sustenance for you. He made the ships subservient to you so that they may flow in the sea with His command.