Professionalism:The Islamic perspective

Abstract

This paper discusses the concept of professionalism from the Islamic perspective. As in the case of all other concepts in Islam, professionalism in Islam is rooted and based upon the two basic and primary sources of reference in Islam, namely the Quran and the Hadith. These two established and acknowledged sources set the Islamic welstanchung or worldview upon which professionalism in Islam can then be comprehended. This worldview lays emphasis on the viceregency role of man on earth that requires submission and obedience to the Almighty God. The need to perform the said role of being God's viceregent or khalifah demands that man, in going about his everyday life establishes worship in each and every of his actions. This total worship and submission to Lord the Creator puts man's daily obligations and duties into either fardhu 'ain or fardhu kifayah. The former relates to individual responsibility to God and society where every single Muslim is required to perform by himself, while the latter relates to collective responsibility where one is absolved of such an obligation whenever someone else performs the same satisfactorily. Although professionalism is required in both kinds of obligations, in engineering it is clearly within the realm of fardhu kifayah. The paper also highlights the concepts of al-quwwah and al-amanah as being the two basic ingredients of professionalism in Islam as expounded by the Quran. In conclusion the subtle difference between professionalism as understood in the engineering practice and that elucidated by Islam is presented.