Socio cultural context in Islam / Azhar Kazmi / SLIDE PRESENTATION ON Strategic management from Islamic perspective: Part II Socio cultural context in Islam Prof. Dr. Azhar Kazmi Department of Business Administration International Islamic University Malaysia

Socio cultural context in Islam / Azhar Kazmi / Components of the broad environment Socio cultural influences Legal Political influences Economic influences Technological influences

Socio cultural context in Islam / Azhar Kazmi / Socio-cultural context in Islam  Civilization, culture, tradition, customs, mores, and way of life have been perennial issues in Islamic societies and history.  From the pagan culture that he was born in, the Prophet (peace be upon him) was guided by the injunctions of the Holy Quran and his own demonstrations through actions and words to raise the level of Arab society to a highly civilized Islamic nation.  Such a remarkable feat, supported and guided by the divinity of Allah, was accomplished in a very short time.  This occurrence must be a historical miracle for never before and after has such a transformation of society taken place on such a large scale in so less a time.

Socio cultural context in Islam / Azhar Kazmi / Socio-cultural context in Islam The cultural transformation at Mecca and Medina was a model for future Islamic nations to develop and thrive. From simple actions of daily life like ablution or eating to higher philosophical issues of life, the revealed knowledge sources cover a wide range of matters relating to human existence. Islam came as a ray of light and hope for the human society in what are now called the dark ages. For more than five centuries it led the world in terms of laying the foundations for a civilized society. Christians, Jews, and people of other religions and civilizations benefited much from Islam. The contribution of Islam to the European renaissance is well documented in history and acknowledged by non-Muslims historians and orientalists.

Socio cultural context in Islam / Azhar Kazmi / Socio-cultural context in Islam With such a rich heritage, Islamic revealed knowledge sources offer much in terms of what is an ideal civilization and culture. Probably, the most significant contribution that Islam makes is defining the relationship between:  human beings and Allah  human beings and society  human beings with other human beings. These are the foundations on which the concept of humanity ultimately rests.

Socio cultural context in Islam / Azhar Kazmi / Socio-cultural context in Islam Islam considers human being as a total person where his material and spiritual needs are one. There is no artificial distinction as in other cultures. Allah s.w.t. is the ultimate source of all values that shape the socio-cultural context. His divine attributes such as love, wisdom, truth, beauty and justice are the basis for the formation of desirable human values. The concept of ‘life after death’ creates a continuity and prevents human beings from becoming materialistic.