L10 Decision Making From Islamic Perspective

DECISION MAKING FROM ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE

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Decision Making from Islamic Perspective “I created the jinn and humankind only that they might worship Me” -- Dhariat 51:56 All of a person’s behavior, deeds, and intentions are to be directed to serve the God. This complete submission is well-expressed in the following Quranic verse:

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“Say: Lo! My worship and my sacrifice and my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of Worlds. He hath no partner, This I am commanded and I am first of those who surrender (Unto Him)” -- Al-An’am 6:162-163

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In Islam, every act of a Muslim can be considered as ibadah provided it meets the following conditions:  The act is lawful (halal)  

He/she is doing it efficiently He/she is doing it to acquire the pleasure of Allah (s.w.t.)

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In short, the mission of a Muslim’s life is to acquire the pleasure of Allah (s.w.t.). To fulfill this noble mission, whatever he/she will be doing can be considered as ibadah.

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we need to carry out our day-to-day activities according to the rulings of Islam, i.e., following commandments of Allah (s.w.t.), and the traditions of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.).

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Muslims seek guidelines from the Islamic revealed knowledge  the knowledge revealed by Allah (s.w.t.), Who is Perfect, Omniscient, Who knows the past, present and the future. The knowledge revealed by Allah (s.w.t.) is considered as infallible. If we carry out our daily activities according to the revealed knowledge then surely we will succeed in this world and the hereafter.

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The traditional models of problem solving and decision making are transient and myopic since they are based on the values of their human founders. These models generally propose a system of ethics devoid of religion. The models or guidelines derived from revealed knowledge lead us to the right solutions.

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Five Steps of Decision Making 1. Define the problem: “But they have no knowledge therein. They follow nothing but conjecture; and conjecture avails nothing against the truth.” -- An-Najm 53:28 It is recommended that you write down the problem statement or the objective of the problem. Writing everything pertaining to the problem is a good habit.

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2. Identify all the alternatives Organizational context: Brainstorming If you are planning your house then possible alternatives could be: 1. As soon as I get a better house 2. When my son will start going to school 3. When I change my job 4. When I cannot afford to live any longer in the present house 5. When the present landlord will not be cooperating. MGT 3050

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3. Identify all the criteria

The criteria for choice of the general secretary of an Islamic Association are:  Qualification  Steadfastness in Prayers  Righteousness  Contribution to society  Friendliness  Past experience  Ability to lead MGT 3050

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Evaluate all the alternatives Usually, one alternative does not excel with respect to all the criteria. we need to find out relative weights of all the alternatives with respect to all the criteria on the individual basis. After synthesizing all the weights, we can obtain the overall weights of all the alternatives.

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4. Evaluate all the alternatives

Make sure that you have equipped yourself with complete information about all the alternatives. Be careful about the source of information

“O you who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with a report, verify it, lest you harm the people in ignorance, and are consequently filled with regret over what you have done.” -- Al-Hujurat 49:6 MGT 3050

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5.

Select the best alternative and implement the decision

“Then, when you have made a decision, put your trust in Allah. Lo! Allah loveth those who put their trust (in Him)” -- An-Nahl 16:43

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Decision Making Through Mutual Consultation Decision making problems, as stated above, range from very simple to very complicated Islam emphasizes decision making through mutual consultation.

“Then ask the learned, if you do not know” -- An-Nahl 16:43

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“Now whatever ye have been given is that a passing comfort for the life of the world, and that which Allah hath is better and more lasting for those who believe and put their trust in their Lord and those who answer the call of their Lord and establish worship and who (conduct) their affairs by mutual consultation, and who spend of what We have bestowed on them.” -- Ash-Shura 42:36,38 MGT 3050

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When Allah (swt) wanted to create mankind: “And when your Lord said unto the angels: Lo! I am about to place a viceroy in the earth, they said: wilt Thou place therein one who will do harm therein and will shed blood, while we hymn Thy praise and sanctify Thee? HE said: Surely I know that which ye know not” --Al Baqarah 2:30--

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Decision Making by a Muslim Manager The administrator has to uphold justice in dealing with everything including the task of decision making. “O ye who believe! Be ye staunch in justice, witness for Allah, even though it be against yourself or (your) parents or (your) kindred, whether (the case be of) a rich man or a poor man, for Allah is nearer unto both (than ye are). So follow not passion lest ye lapse (from justice) and if ye lapse or fall away, then lo! Allah is ever informed of what ye do” MGT 3050

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--An- 18 Nisa 4 : 135

“Lo! Allah enjointh justice and kindness and giving to kinsfolk, and forbiddenrh lewdness and abomination and wickedness. He exhorteth you in order that ye may take heed.” -- An Nahl 16: 90--

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“If Fatima (the daughter of Muhammad), steals I will certainly cut her hand” --reported by Imam Ibn Ahmad

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Justice is Allah’s attribute. We should stand firm in the favor of justice even if it goes against our own interests or to the interests of those who are near and dear to us. Be just without fear or favor.

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As an administrator, many times to derive a decision in a just way, you need to apply your wisdom. …………….”Bring me a knife so that I may cut him (the child) (into two parts) for you. The younger one said: No, it can't be, may Allah have mercy upon you, he (the child) belongs to her (the elder). So he gave a decision in favor of the younger one”.

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Decision Making by Shura Shura is the process for an exchange of views or mutual consultation designed to lead a mature, thoughtful and sound decision. Islamic jurists and scholars unanimously agree that Shura is not an innovation of man. Rather it is legitimate practice that has its basis in the Quran and has been passed on to us as a Sunnah of the Prophet (s.a.w.) as well as that of Caliphs of Islam (Khulafa al- Rashidun).

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“I have never seen anyone who seeks consultations of his companions more than Prophet (s.a.w.)” -- Abu Hurayrah (r.a.)

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“……If your leaders are virtuous, your rich people are generous and your affairs are settled though Shura, the surface of the earth is better for you than the bottom (i.e., your lives are worth living).” -- Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.)

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Prophet (s.a.w.) has also said: “….whosoever resolves matter through Shura will always be the successful and whosoever abandons Shura will be at loss.” Umar ibn al-Khattab (r.a.) did not take any major decision without consulting his people. Umar used to consult his people in the appointments of governors and army commanders.

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Decision Making by Shura At the time of Caliphs: Consultation was used in the day-to-day administration of the countries expanding resources and setting of goals, formulating the policies of approaching these goals, organizing the efforts and activities. Single opinion is like a string of thread, whereas multiple opinions are like a strong rope.

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While consulting others, you should not influence them to be in agreement with you. In that case, it is meaningless to consult them. If your Shura comprises people belonging to different groups, then make sure that you listen from all the groups

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Decision making consultant Alison Hardingham has said (in favor of consulting others): “If you choose to make them (decisions) alone, you lose wealth of information and experience to be found in the people around you. You lose one of the resources uniquely available to us as a human being, the knowledge of our fellow human beings”.

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Benefits of Shura • Views from different perspective are surfaced which can cover the entire area of consideration. • Those consulted are likely to be supportive in implementing the decision. • The leader’s shortcomings can be made up through Shura. • Through Shura, the chance of identifying the best solution is more compared to individual’s effort.

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Benefits of Shura • Lead to just and wise decisions. •

Provides opportunity for others to express their opinions.

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Facilitate co-operation and mutual responsibility, i.e., strengthen ukhwa among Muslims.

• Save leader from abominations that generates from autocracy such as to impose his opinions that may be stupid. •

Encourage team work.

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Whom to Consult?  Should be competent enough to help you  Should know you very well

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Whom to Consult? Remember the following questions: • Has the consultant anything to gain or lose if I decide one way or the other (things to gain or lose include money-status, influence, face, etc.)? • Does the consultant have strong political, religious or other views which might influence him/her? • Is the consultant under the influence of anyone with something to gain or lose from my decision?

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Few More Guidelines • • • •

Istikhara Take a long term view Take the majority view Learn from the past mistakes

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• Avoid acting in hurry Abdur Rahman ibn Bishr al-Ansari al-Azraq said: Two men from the locality of Kindah came while Abu Mas'ud al-Ansari was sitting on a circle. They said: Is there any man who decides between us? A man from the circle said: I, Abu Mas'ud took a handful of pebbles and threw at him, saying: Hush! It is disapproved to be hasty in decision.

• Weigh the pros and cons MGT 3050

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Wassalaam

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