ISLAMIC MANAGEMENT DECISION PROCESS

ISLAMIC MANAGEMENT DECISION PROCESS:

The Essence of a Leader’s or Administrator's Responsibility 

[Summary of Series of Lectures on Islamic Management by Dr SHAYA’A OTHMAN]

“If we as Muslim Leaders and Managers practice this Islamic Management Decision Process, I am sure Muslim Nations, Muslim Organisations, and Muslim Families will become models for others to follow. But the situation today is generally otherwise”.

Decision-making is the essence of a leader’s, administrator's or manager's responsibilities. In carrying out the 5 functions of management in relation to effectively and efficiently utilising all the resources [see SHAYA'A OTHMAN ISLAMIC MANAGEMENT MODEL as discussed in earlier post], many decisions have to be made. Thus, a leader or manager needs to understand what is meant by decision-making.

As shown in the following DECISION MAKING MAPPiCXS, a manager needs to understand the following:

1. Decision-Making Process

2. Manager as Decision Maker

3. Decision Making for Today's World

4. Decision Making from an Islamic Perspective.

I would like to highlight the effective element of "CONSULTATION" which you may notice is not being included in the Management Process as advocated by management gurus.

Management from an Islamic perspective, "CONSULTATION" is the essential element before any decision is made. Examine and digest the following MATRiCXS, and you will understand why "CONSULTATION" has to be included in the DECISION-MAKING PROCESS.

God [Allah the one and only God], the Most Gracious & Merciful, mentioned in the Holy Quran S3:159 [ The only Authentic & Unadulterated Holy Book from God to mankind as guidance] about the Process of Making Decision, shall include the 2 main elements of "CONSULTATION" and "put TRUST in Allah" :

"....and consult them in the affairs. Then, when you have made a decision, put your trust in Allah...."

In line with the guidance from God as mentioned in the verse of the Holy Quran above, I would like to include "CONSULTATION" as one of the steps or elements in "DECISION MAKING PROCESS", which applies to all Leaders, Administrators and Managers - Muslims and Non- Muslims alike.

If you are a Muslim, I would like to encourage you to perform Solat Istikarah [ Prayer for Guidance from God], after you have made "CONSULTATION" but before a decision is made. Then finally "..put TRUST to Allah..." by performing Solat Hajat [Prayer asking God to bless for decision made]. As a Muslim, these additional 2 steps need to be included in "DECISION MAKING PROCESS", - this makes a difference and the beauty of Islam.

The following Chart shows the Islamic Process of Making Decisions for Muslim Leaders, Administrators and Managers. 

Finally, let us examine ourselves as Muslim leaders, administrators or managers, whether we include these additional 3 steps in the process of making decisions. If we, as Muslim Leaders, administrators and Managers, practice this Islamic Management Decision Process, I am sure Muslims Nations, Muslim organisations, and Muslims Families will become models for others to follow. But the situation generally today is otherwise.