Act One: Lessons in Shariah compliant business

I was working as an advisor in the past, I would liaise between the Shariah board and upper mgmt. The CEO had promised to do whatever it takes to make the venture successful. Hearing this, the chairman of our Shariah Board (tasked with overseeing that all deals and project were in line with investor values) made a very simple request of him "I'd like an Espresso machine available in the boardroom." “Sure,” said the CEO, “We’ll take care of it.”

Every time the chairman would see me, he'd ask if the CEO had it installed. I'd begrudgingly tell him I'd follow up. Every time I saw the CEO, he'd ridicule the chairman's request, “an espresso machine! Pfft!” After we went back and forth like this for some time, I asked the chairman, "It seems he's not going to do it. Indulge me: Why such a simple request?" 

He said: "If he can't fulfill this simple request, when I tell him that something isn't Shariah compliant, what do you think his willingness will be to do what's difficult? To do what's right?"

Needless to say, management changed not too long after that. If I were to summarize what the chairman was looking for in the CEO, I’d say its one word: Integrity. 

Act Two: What is Integrity?

In attempting to position this value in the Islamic ethos, some equate it to truthfulness/honesty (Ṣidq), others equate it to faith (Imān), and other as good character (Khuluq). Others related it to purity and wholeness.

Integrity in the English language relates to the Latin “integritatem” meaning "soundness, wholeness, completeness," and figuratively "purity, correctness, blamelessness," from the word integer meaning "whole". It eventually was defined as "soundness of moral principle and character; entire uprightness or fidelity, especially in regard to truth and fair dealing" 

The closest word I can think of to these root meanings in the Arabic is Wafā’ which carries a meaning of wholeness and completeness, as Ibn Fāris mentions, but also the idea that there is a duty being discharged and realized. 

It brings to mind the ḥadīth of Jarīr (found in the Musnad of Imam Aḥmad, al-Tirmidhi, and others) who said, “I pledged allegiance to God’s messenger to hear and obey, and to be sincere to every Muslim.” His grandson narrates that when “Jarīr would buy something, and it was worth more than the price it was being sold for, he would say to the seller he would say to his counterpart, 'Know that what we have taken from you is dearer to us than what we have given you, so choose (accordingly).'".” Meaning his covenant to be sincere with every Muslim, meant that he would not compromise his personal integrity, and would disclose transparently and opening what he knew about the transaction.

The idea of Wafā’ or integrity here shows that it extends beyond mere personal ethics into a holistic approach to interactions, emphasizing the importance of transparency, honesty, and mutual respect in all dealings. This concept underscores the significance of acting in good faith, ensuring that all parties are fully informed and that transactions are conducted in a manner that honors the spirit of trust and sincerity among Muslims. In essence, Wafā’ is about embodying the principles of fairness and integrity not just in one's personal life but in every aspect of social and economic engagements, serving as a foundation for building a just and morally upright community.

Act Three: The Challenge of Integrity

As the world evolves, so do the challenges to maintaining integrity in both our personal and professional lives. Whether in management, operations, or day to day business, the an interconnected world and the rise of technology have transformed how we conduct transactions, often blurring the lines of honesty and transparency. Integrity and adherence to fair practice is the claim of many a new business; many times that’s simply part of the marketing. Fast money and fast execution, both coming through the door before ever being tested for integrity, seem to be more of the norm. A stronger commitment to integrity seems more essential now than ever.

"But business advantages are built on asynchronous information! That’s how we get ahead." While it's true that no one does business except that they seek to gain an edge, maintaining integrity means ensuring that this advantage does not come at the expense of fairness, transparency, and trust. The essence of integrity lies in using information not to exploit but to create value for all, balancing competitive advantage with ethics, honesty, and mutual respect.

The principle of Wafā’, discharging one’s duty to uphold a sense of wholeness and integrity, encourages spaces where fairness, respect, and dignity prevail. Imagine a company where employees are valued not just for their output but for their effort and integrity. Imagine startups where the goal is not to balloon to unicorn status for an exit, but where quality products and services are not burdened by debt servicing and bloated numbers. Imagine a corporation where principle is placed before profit, even in something as insignificant as a coffee machine.

Alija Izetbegovic said “A good deed and its reward cannot be separated, like an object and its shadow. The reward you have in mind would only belittle it.” Fair compensation, ethical leadership, and a operational / management culture focused on doing what is right rewards genuine hard work over making shortcuts the norm.

In short, integrity is aligning your behavior with your core values.