1. Sh. Fahim Anam & Nabeel Al-Azami
IRW VALUES Workshop
Sh. Fahim Anam & Nabeel Al-Azami

2. Objectives of Workshop
Gaining a deeper understanding of the IR values
Discovering practical ways to implement the values

3. VISION MISSION VALUES The Quranic Imperative
Inspired by our Islamic faith and guided by our values we envisage a caring world where communities are empowered, social obligations are fulfilled and people respond as one to the suffering of others.
The Quranic Imperative
‘And those in whose wealth there is a known right for the needy who ask and for those who are deprived’ Surah Al-Ma’arij 70:24-25
MISSION
Exemplifying our Islamic values, we will mobilise resources, build partnerships, and develop local capacity, as we work to:
Enable communities to mitigate the effect of disasters, prepare for their occurrence and respond by providing relief, protection and recovery.
Promote integrated development and environmental custodianship with a focus on sustainable livelihoods
Support the marginalised and vulnerable to voice their needs and address root causes of poverty.
We allocate these resources regardless of race, political affiliation, gender or belief, and without expecting anything in return.
VALUES
Excellence
Sincerity
Social Justice
Compassion
Custodianship
IR functions upon Islamic values, among which the following 5 values (ESSCC) are of particular importance:

4. A bit more on the 5 Values...
Excellence (Ihsan): Our actions in tackling poverty are marked by excellence in our operations and conduct which are deserving of the people we serve.
Sincerity (Ikhlas): In responding to poverty and suffering our efforts are driven by sincerity to God and the need to fulfil our obligations to humanity
Social Justice (Adl): Our work is founded on enabling people and institutions to fulfil the rights of the poor and vulnerable. We work to empower the dispossessed towards realising their God-given human potential and developing their capabilities and resources.
Compassion (Rahma): We believe the protection and well-being of every life is of paramount importance and we shall join with other humanitarian actors to act as one in responding to suffering brought on by disasters, poverty and injustice.
Custodianship (Amana): We uphold our duty of custodianship over the earth, its resources and the trust people place in us as humanitarian and development practitioners to be transparent and accountable.

5. Benefit & Importance of values
Setting expectations & standards:
What to expect standard-wise & service-wise:
As a donor
As a beneficiary
As a service provider or employee
Setting measuring yardstick
What to measure against
Setting preferential pointers
Why one should choose IR over other relief organisations (Muslims & Non-Muslims)

6. Benefit & Importance of values
If values are declared, implemented and monitored, it will change organisational culture & external reputation
These values should improve
a) Relationships (internally & externally)
b) Service (inwardly & outwardly)
c) Performance levels
d) Job satisfaction
e) IRW image & reputation

7. Values implementation
What scope is there for values implementation in practice?
What are the sources of defining values?

8. Scope for implementation
While remaining faithful to God, Humanity & Donors
While interacting with Staff (all levels)
While interacting with service beneficiaries
While working in any support services (internal or hired)
While using any tools or equipments

9. Sources of values Tradition/Culture Experience/Observation
Religious beliefs
Human intellect/Reasoning
Divine revelation

10. Values impact In the Hereafter (with faith)
In this life (with faith or no faith)
Discussion: Is there any mechanism for judging sincerity?

11. Ikhlas –Sincerity in the Quran
وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ فِي الْأَنْعَامِ لَعِبْرَةً ۖ نُسْقِيكُمْ مِمَّا فِي بُطُونِهِ مِنْ بَيْنِ فَرْثٍ
وَدَمٍ لَبَنًا خَالِصًا سَائِغًا لِلشَّارِبِينَ
And verily in the cattle, there is lesson for you. We give you to drink of that which is in their bellies, from between excretions and blood, pure milk, palatable to the drinkers. (16:66)

12. The meaning of Ikhlas
According to Imam Al-Jarjani, Ikhlas is not to have the desire of others witnessing your work/sacrifice. It is also said that Ikhlas is, the purification of your heart from any impurity or stain
The motive of doing an action could be for the sake of: a) God, b) Humanity/People & c) Self When you do something sincerely for God or Humanity, you will do more & better even if it is un- noticed

13. Judging Sincerity 1) Sincerity to Allah (Rewards in the Hereafter)
2) Sincerity to people (Rewards in this life), Or
Sincerity in intention
Sincerity in action

14. Sincerity to God
Sincerity to Allah, or in intention is an absolute personal matter, it is between the person and Allah, it is therefore, not possible for individuals to judge the sincerity of people to Allah or in their intention, hence we should refrain from judging anybody’s sincerity, and the reward is with Allah (swt).

15. Sincerity to people
Sincerity to people or sincerity in action, may be judged by people, based on dedication, devotion, seriousness and output of the work. How much effort is put into accomplishing a task, or how seriously one takes up a task in achieving or changing something. It is important to take extra precaution in making a judgment in relation to sincerity.

16. Values discussion (Ikhlas)
Integrating Values into Work:
What does Sincerity look like in your role?

17. Amana–Custodianship in the Quran
إِنَّا عَرَضْنَا الْأَمَانَةَ عَلَى السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَالْجِبَالِ فَأَبَيْنَ أَنْ
يَحْمِلْنَهَا وَأَشْفَقْنَ مِنْهَا وَحَمَلَهَا الْإِنْسَانُ ۖ إِنَّهُ كَانَ ظَلُومًا جَهُولًا
We did indeed offer the Trust to the Heavens and the Earth and the Mountains; but they refused to undertake it, being afraid thereof: but man undertook it;- He was indeed unjust and foolish. (33:72).

18. The meaning of Amana
According to Imam At-Tabari there is a difference of opinions with regards to the meaning of Amanah and the verse related to the Amanah. According to some scholars, the Amanah is the obedience to Allah and fulfilling the obligations to Allah.

19. The meaning of Amana
But according to many scholars it is the ‘Aql’, the human intellect (reasoning faculty/judging ability), through which, one would discover the oneness of God, and uphold justice in society. In fact, by having a human intellect, one would learn/know whatever Mankind needs to learn/know, and undertake whatever Mankind is to undertake in this life

20. Amana in Prophetic traditions
Our beloved Prophet (saw) was well known before the Prophethood among his people as ‘Al-Amin’ (The trustworthy custodian), the people used to trust him and prefer to entrust their trust to him. When the Prophet (saw) was migrating from Makka to Madina, even up to that point people had entrusted him with their trust, so he assigned Ali (ra) to return their trust after he had migrated to Madinah.

21. Scope for Custodianship
The scope for custodianship is a very wide spectrum, starting from, faith, honour, wealth, human body, soul, knowledge, sciences, government, sovereign, empire, guardianship, testimony, the court of justice, the transmission of divine and prophetic text, confidentiality, messages, the sight, the hearing faculty and all senses.

22. 3 Dimensions of Amana
1) Being custodian over things for which one is not officially entrusted with custodianship
2) Fulfilling custodianship over things for which one is officially entrusted with custodianship
3) Fulfilling custodianship with extra care and with no negligence over things for which one is entrusted with custodianship

23. Values discussion (Amana)
Integrating Values into Work:
What does Amana look like in your role from an ownership point of view?
What does Amana look like in your role from an integrity & accountability point of view?

24. Adl – Social Justice
Discussion: How will you secure justice for poor and vulnerable people?

25. Adl – Social Justice in Quran
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ
Allah commands justice, and doing of good.
وَجَزَاءُ سَيِّئَةٍ سَيِّئَةٌ مِثْلُهَا ۖ فَمَنْ عَفَا وَأَصْلَحَ فَأَجْرُهُ عَلَى اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الظَّالِمِينَ
The recompense for an evil is an evil like thereof (in degree): but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah: for (Allah) loves not those who do wrong. (42:40)

26. Justice is minimum entitlement
The minimum standard in human interaction and fulfilling the obligation to humanity, at large is, goodness is returned with goodness, and evil is returned with justice (otherwise, it becomes Zulm/Oppression), and this is the minimum criteria for ‘Adl’ (justice).

27. The meaning of justice
According to Imam Al-Jarjani, Adl is the middle ground between excessiveness and negligence.
Adalah (Justice) in Islam is being upright (Istiqamah) on true path and keeping away from things which are forbidden from a religious perspective (Imam Al-Jarjani)

28. Justice & Leadership
Prophets are described in the Quran with two fundamental characteristics, which are Truthfulness (Sidq) and Justice (Adl)
According to Ibn Taimiyah (ra) they are connected, and thus, Allah (swt) says: “And the word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice” (6:115).

29. Justice & Leadership
Allah (swt) says: “And the days (good and not so good), We give men by turns” (3:140). However, the good days and leadership of the world lies on these characteristics (truth and justice), and this is why Ibn-Taymiyah said, the world (leadership) evolves around justice, even if they are non-believers, and it does not evolve around Muslims if they are oppressors.

30. Values discussion (Justice)
Integrating Values into Work:
What does Adl look like in your role?
Do you feel you are doing justice to your role?
Would slackness of one person put unjust pressure on others?

31. Rahmah - Compassion
Discussion: How do you show compassion to those who are not compassionate?

32. Rahma –Compassion in Quran
فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ لِنْتَ لَهُمْ ۖ وَلَوْ كُنْتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لَانْفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِكَ 
And by the Mercy of Allah, you dealt with them gently. And had you been severe and harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you. (3:159)
كَتَبَ رَبُّكُمْ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِ الرَّحْمَةَ 
Your Lord has inscribed for Himself (the rule of) mercy. (6:54)

33. The meaning of Rahmah
According to Imam al-Jarjani it is the intention of doing good for others
According to Al-Kufiyyun it is the state of mind, often displayed by the people with a soft heart, which is the basis of compassion.

34. Compassion in Prophetic Traditions
No mercy for the one who is not merciful to people.
Allah is merciful to those who are merciful, be merciful to everyone on the earth and you will be shown mercy by everyone in the heaven.
The Prophet (saw) also said that, a woman entered hellfire because of not giving food to a cat, nor did she let the cat go out and eat from anything.

35. Values discussion (Rahma)
Integrating Values into Work:
What does Rahma look like in your role?
How would you display compassion in your job?

36. Ihsan - Excellence
What is the connection between Adl (Justice) and Ihsan (Excellence)?

37. Ihsan – Excellence in Quran
Is there any Reward for Good - other than Good? (55:60).هَلْ جَزَاءُ الْإِحْسَانِ إِلَّا الْإِحْسَانُ
إِنْ أَحْسَنْتُمْ أَحْسَنْتُمْ لِأَنْفُسِكُمْ ۖ وَإِنْ أَسَأْتُمْ فَلَهَا 
If you did well, you did well for yourselves; if you did evil, (you did it) against yourselves. (17:7)

38. The meaning of Ihsan
The meaning of Ihsan is explained by the Prophet (saw) in Hadith Jibril, when he asked, 'Tell me about Ihsan.' He said, 'That you worship Allah as if you see Him, for if you don't see Him then truly He sees you. (أن تعبد الله كأنك تراه ، فإن لم تكن تراه فإنه يراك)

39. The meaning of Ihsan
However, Ihsan on its own denotes to doing good and kind deeds, and doing good and kind deeds is an attribute, which derives from ‘husnun’, meaning excellence and perfection.
Ali (RA) said: ‘People are recognised through their good deeds’

40. Ihsan in Prophetic Traditions
إن الله كتب الإحسان على كل شيء“Verily, Allah has prescribed Ihsan towards everything
Allah's Apostle also said, "A prostitute was forgiven by Allah, because, she was passing by a panting dog near a well and seeing that the dog was about to die of thirst, she took off her shoe, and tying it with her head-cover she drew out some water for it. So, Allah forgave her because of that." (Sahih al- Bukhari, 54/538)

41. Values discussion (Ihsan)
Integrating Values into Work:
What does Ihsan look like in your role?
What practical steps can you take to incorporate Ihsan in your specific role?

42. Connection between Adl & Ihsan
The pursuit of ‘Adl’ is to fulfill the obligations, whereas, the pursuit of ‘Ihsan’ is to fulfill beyond obligation voluntarily. And both are commanded by Allah (swt) in the Quran:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ
Allah commands justice, and the doing of good. (16:90)

43. Conclusion
Proper utilisation of TIME with Amana, Ikhlas, Adl, Rahmah and Ihsan
Appropriate expense & resource management with Amana, Ikhlas, Adl, Rahmah and Ihsan
Efficient service delivery with Amana, Ikhlas, Adl, Rahmah and Ihsan

44. Finally – Ask yourself What am I doing with my work time?
(Fulfilling the Amana)
Why or Who am I doing this for?
(Fulfilling Ikhlas)
Am I being fair to myself, my people, and the work? (Fulfilling Adl)
Was I kind (Compassionate) in my delivery of service (Fulfilling Rahma)
Was I excellent in my delivery of service?
(Fulfilling Ihsan)

45. Thank You