Quran and Management

This may make your very curious but the teachings of God or Allah are always timeless and their deeper meanings can be implemented in finer aspects of our daily lives. So can be done with the modern concept of corporate world, organization management, etc. We will peep into some of similar lessons from Quran.

 

Concept of a Manager

Management principles work on have efficient managers who could get the work done through others. Holy Quran emphasizes on this point: "We raise some of them above others in ranks, so that some may command work from others...' [43:32]

 

Lesson 1: Obedience and respect for authority

This is essential in any corporate setting. If the workforce does not have obedience and respect for authority, the structure would fail. The organization would not be able to function properly.

 

Quote from Quran

Holy Quran instructs: Obey Allah and His Messenger and those in position of authority among you.' [4:59]

 

Lesson 2: Team Work

The Japanese management has proved the benefits of team work to the world. There is almost no field in the world where team work does not work.

 

Quote from Quran

The Holy Quran also advocates this concept: "...and those who do their work through mutual consultation.' [42:83]. It further advocates by saying: "pass over (their faults), and ask for (God's) forgiveness for them; and consult them in affairs (of moment). Then, when you have taken a decision put your trust in God, for God loves those who put their trust (in Him).' [3:159]

 

Lesson 3: Equal Opportunities

This concept is a very good one. Almost all the companies flash their adherence to this principle when they advertise for new job offers. Equal opportunities make employees work with more enthusiasm.

 

Quote from Quran

The Holy Quran emphasis this golden rule: "O people, We created you from a single male and female couple and then divided you in nations and tribes so that you may recognize one another. Verily the most honorable among you in the sight of Allah is he who is most righteous of you.' [49:13]

 

Lesson 4: Motivation and Commitment

The management is all about motivating the workforce and making them committed to the common cause.

 

Quote from Quran

The Holy Quran points to this principle: "(telling the Prophet) If you had been stern and fierce of heart they (the companions and followers) would have disappeared from around you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the conduct of affairs" [3:159]

 

Lesson 5: Elimination of Wastage

Wastage elimination is one the modern concepts implemented by Toyota. No wonder it's accepted worldwide for its efficiency and lowering the costs in almost all aspects of an organization.

 

Quote from Quran

The Holy Quran has endorsed this view: "And render to the kindred their due rights, as (also) to those in want, and to the wayfarer. But waste not (your wealth, time, health, talents, opportunities etc) in the manner of a spendthrift." [17:26] It further says: "O Children of Adam! wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer: eat and drink: But waste not by excess , for Allah loveth not the wasters.' [7:31]

 

Lesson 6: Kaizen

Kaizen is a Japanese word meaning continuous improvement. In Arabic, this is nothing but Jihad, which means continuous struggle to improve.

 

Quote from Quran

The Holy Quran confirms this fact: "You who believe! Have fear of Allah and seek the means of drawing near to Him, and strive in His Way, so that hopefully you will be successful.' [5:35]

 

Lesson 7: Just in Time

Just in Time is a concept pioneered by Toyota. It means keeping as much inventory as needed. It reduces cost and wastage.

 

Quote from Quran

The Holy Quran stresses on this point quite beautifully. "O ye who believe! Those who bury gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah, announce unto them a most grievous penalty.' [9:34]

 

Lesson 8: Visual Control

The technical term by Toyota is Genchi Gembitsu. It means in order to solve any problem, the manager or supervisor at Toyota is obligated to go and see for himself the issue, analyze it, and take corrective actions. Second hand information is simply not accepted. In order to minimize or eliminate this distortion, it is utmost necessary that that the information should be first-hand as much as it can be possible.

 

Quote from Quran

This golden rule is amply mentioned in the Holy Quran: "You shall not accept any information, unless you verify it for yourself. I have given you the hearing, the eyesight, and the brain, and you are responsible for using them.' [17:36]

 

Lesson 9: Optimum Capacity Utilization

It means not to over-burden any resource, whether it is a machine or an employee; not to under-load any machine or employee; and balance out the workload onto different machines or on different employees so that none of them is over-burdened or under-loaded with regards to their respective capacities. For Toyota, these three principles are called Muri, Mura and Muda categorized under a single principle called Heijunka, which means to level out the workload.

 

Quote from Quran

The Holy Quran emphasizes on this principle: "No soul shall have a burden laid on it greater than it can bear." [2:233] It further says: "On no soul doth Allah place a burden greater than it can bear (Pray) Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear."[2:286]

 

Lesson 10: Customer Satisfaction

Customer satisfaction is a sure business model and it has proved its effectiveness for more than one big company. Dell established its operations worldwide for just this.

 

Quote from Quran

The Holy Quran commands: "...Give just measure and weight, nor withhold from the people the things that are their due ; and do no mischief on the earth after it has been set in order: that will be best for you, if ye have Faith." [7:85]

 

Lesson 11: Contracts, commitments and promises

For any business to survive, fulfilling its contracts, commitments, promises is extremely important. For employees, it is utterly important to respect the deadlines and deliver work when promised. Any organization can does well if these principles are followed.

 

Quote from Quran

The Holy Quran has instructed thus: "Allah says, fulfill your contracts. Contracts will be asked about.'' [17:34] It says further: "And the Almighty says, O you who believe! Why do you say what you do not do? It is deeply abhorrent to Allah that you say what you do not do.'' [61:2-3]

 

Lesson 12: 5S

The first step of the 5-S process is Seiri. It refers to the act of discarding all unwanted, unnecessary, and unrelated materials from any place of concern. The idea is to ensure that everything left is of use only. Even the number of necessary items must be kept to its absolute minimum.

 

Quote from Quran

This principle should be ingrained: "They ask thee how much they are to spend in the way of Allah; Say: What is beyond your needs?" [2:219]

 

Conclusion

The spiritual texts of the world give us principles that are timeless and have multiple applications. If understood properly and their deeper meaning grasped, these principles can certainly pave way for new techniques that can be used for the betterment of mankind.

 

 

 

Source: Quran and Management