Quality Management | Islamic Perspective

Using proper project management methodologies assisted by the correct project management tools help most of the organizations in leading their teams to accomplish the overall goals of the project. What needs to be kept in mind that it is not always just about meeting the deadlines and finishing a project, but rather the quality of the project as well. Project managers need to plan and strategize in such a manner that both these aims are met.  

Furthermore, a very important factor in helping project managers successfully lead the project is the level of commitment and support they receive from the top management or what is technically known as stakeholders. The commitment and support given by the top management signifies the success ratio of the project.

However, before going further to see the result or the deliverability of a product, there must be certain standards or guidelines that could help project managers in implementing the projects in order to achieve good quality results, products and services. 

Project managers are key players in projects and construction industry, and much of the fate of projects lies in their hands and rest on their shoulders. Their interpersonal skills and leadership in addition to the project management technical competencies will ensure smooth overall progress.

From an Islamic perspective, quality work is part of the relationship between a human being and Allah which is part of Ibadah. It relates to the improvement of human relationship and the world in general. Indeed, quality and enhanced work is not a new thing in Islam. Islam teaches us the concepts of Ihsan and Itqan (good and quality) to apply in our day to day work.

What is Project Quality Management?

“Quality” as defined in the google dictionary is the standard of something as measured against other things of a similar kind; the degree of excellence of something. According to A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK? Guide), quality is “the degree to which a set of inherent characteristics fulfill requirements.” The quality factor emphasizes customer satisfaction, in other words, the requirement that has been collected in the initial phase has to ensure the quality of certain product or service meeting the stakeholders expectations.

In order words, project quality management ensures that the project will satisfy the needs for which it was undertaken. The planning and effort needed to be exerted in quality management is much more vital in order to bring out the desired outcome of the project. It is implies by the anticipation of somebody who are skills which able to handle the situations with any kind of actions taken to ensure the appropriate outcome.

The following guideline proposed by Al-Salmani, Kemenade & Hardjono consists of eight principles which are:

1. Leadership
2. Customer Focus
3. Employees’ Management
4. Outcomes
5. Partnership and Resource
6. Systematic Approach
7. Social Responsibility
8. Transparency

This philosophy on which the guideline is based, revolves around good governance which is held up by the eight pillars of quality management. There is interrelated relationship between the principles itself and between the principles and the good governance. The function of the Islamic work ethics is to make the guideline explicit in which it explain how each principle can be carried out.

Project Managers consider quality planning in conjunction with the rest of the project planning because it influences costs, scheduling and other factors. Without strong quality planning, a project carries an increased risk that the client would not be satisfied with the results. A quality plan should detail not only what the benchmarks are, but who’s responsible for meeting them and which stakeholder has the authority to confirm standards are being met. This accountability helps mitigate the risks that a project won’t satisfy the client, finish on budget or stick to the schedule. A quality checklist that stays with the project manager can be used to serve as a reference. This helps lessen the risk of unwelcome surprises later on in the project.

Quality Management from an Islamic Perspective

Islam is a righteous way of a complete life which focuses on achieving success in this world and the Hereafter. It stresses on goodness in everything done by each and every human being. As a living system that includes all aspects of life, including the aspects of Aqidah (Belief) Ibadah (Worship) and Akhlaq (Ethics).

Allah commands humans to follow the teachings of Islam as a whole for the betterment of life in this world as well as in the Hereafter. Those people who benefited from the dunya (world) and will not lose in Hereafter (akhirah).

Vital phases of project life cycle consists of planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing of project. Knowledge area for project quality management usually will be executed while in planning phase, executing phase and monitoring phase.

Quality Management from an Islamic perspective could be explained as an efficient management organization, which in turn meets customers need efficiently while maintaining and adhering to Islamic principles of life. Another way of explaining this could be that it is the process of planning, organizing, leading and controlling the efforts of organizational members and of using all other organizational resources based on the guidance of Allah and his Prophet with accountable mentality, integrity and skill to achieve the predetermined objectives.

Quality Management is heavily seen as an important aspect in Quranic teachings as one peruses the Word of Allah.

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“And give full measure when you measure, and weigh with an even balance. That is the best [way] and best in result”. [Surah al-A’rah, 35]

From this ayah we see the importance Allah has placed in our day to day dealings with fellow human beings. It stresses on precision in measurement and accuracy. If this is not maintained and people start slacking off or cheating then this will have an overall negative impact on the market.

This is concept is embedded in a Muslims’s DNA. Allah tells us about accountability in Surah Zalzalah,

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So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it, And whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it. [Surah Zalzalah, 7-8]

This teaches us that accountability is a very important factor in the overall functioning of a project. Without accountability, work factor is bound to drop and the overall quality of the project will also drop. More than that it also teaches us the concept of rewarding and penalizing based on the work. Team members need incentives that will push them to achieve the set goals of the project. Project managers need to reward their teams from time to time so that the team moral is maintained and the members feel appreciated. This will see a rise in productivity and adherence to policies. On the other hand, those who overstep the bounds need to be taken to check and penalized. If not then this could have an overall impact on the project. Its analogy is like that of the small stones that start an avalanche.

Allah tells us in the Quran,

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“Indeed, all things We created with predestination/measure.” [Surah Al-Qamar, 49]

In this ayah, Allah mentions about the concept of “predestination”. This means Allah’s predestination of measurements and sustenance of everything and everyone, according to His Knowledge and Wisdom. Believing in al-Qadr is included in the Pillars of Faith. Everything in the universe has been created in its utmost beauty, with purpose and in proportion and measure, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Every matter, major and minor, and everything that happens in this universe is planned out and preserved with Allah. Allah’s knowledge encompasses all of His actions and actions taken by His creation.

Furthermore, the words Ihsan and Itqan as used in Islamic refer to “Quality”, meaning perfection or passion for excellence, continuous self-evaluation and so on. Itqan means “goodness”, it stands for the level of quality work. Meaning to work or perform a task in such a manner that it brings the highest or best of results.

“Ihsan” also means doing good to oneself by obey what Almighty Allah commands or forbids. The word means to be nice or to perfect ones relationship with fellow Muslims and other human beings. The good will and quality act is mentioned by Allah in the Quran,

???????? ???????? ????????? ????????? ????? ??? ?????? ????????? ??????? ??? ????? ????? ??????? ???????? ????? ????????? ???????????? ????????????? ?????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ??????? ?????????? ??????? ?????? ????????

????? ?????? ???????? ???????????? ????????????? ??????????? ????? ?????????? ???????? ????????????? ????? ????????? ??? ????????? ???????????

And to Madyan [We sent] their brother Shu'ayb. He said, "O my people, worship Allah ; you have no deity other than Him. And do not decrease from the measure and the scale. Indeed, I see you in prosperity, but indeed, I fear for you the punishment of an all-encompassing Day.

And O my people, give full measure and weight in justice and do not deprive the people of their due and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption. [Surah Al-Hud 11:84-85]  

This ayah also teaches us the importance Allah places on giving people their due rights and standing by our oaths, promises and contracts. In project management, quality can be maintained and regulated only when the right kind of resources in their required measure are being supplied. Any hindrance in the supply chain management part will have a negative impact on the overall quality of the project.

Likewise, the part of not depriving the people of their dues is also a very important lesson. Overall quality in a project can only be maintained when the stakeholders as well as the end customers are happy. If salaries and remunerations are not payed on time, then that will bring a negative work culture into the team which is bad for the overall functioning of the project. At the end of the chain, if the customers don’t get their due right based on what they have been charged for, then that will also harm the quality of the project for it will give rise to bad feedback and loss of name in the industry.

On the authority of Abu Ya’la Shaddad bin Aws, that the Messenger of Allah ? said:

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Verily Allah has prescribed ihsan (proficiency, perfection) in all things. So if you kill then kill well; and if you slaughter, then slaughter well. Let each one of you sharpen his blade and let him spare suffering to the animal he slaughters.” [Muslim]

This hadith lays the foundational stone from the Sunnah of the Prophet regarding quality management in projects. A very simple and to the point narration that explains the importance for Muslims to strive be the best in their fields and do whatever it is that they are doing with excellence. On the same note, there is another narration where it was narrated that 'Aishah said: "The Messenger of Allah ? had a mat which he would spread in the day and make into a small booth at night to pray in it. The people found out about that and they prayed when he prayed, with the mat in between him and them. He said:

????????? ???? ????????? ??? ?????????? ??????? ??????? ????? ??????? ??? ??????? ?????? ????????? ??????? ??????? ??????????? ????? ??????? ????? ??????? ?????????? ?????? ?????

'Do as much of good deeds as you can, for Allah does not get tired (of giving reward) until you get tired. And the most beloved of deeds to Allah are those that are continuous, even if they are few.' Then he stopped that prayer and did not return to it until Allah took him (in death), and if he started to do something he would persist in it." [Sunan an-Nasai]

This again shows us that its not just about meeting deadlines or doing something big. Rather, what matters is being able to maintain quality throughout the course of the project. Achieving that is more beneficial for the project rather than having one large good thing and multiple bad ones.

In the famous Hadith of Jibreel, narrated on the authority of Abu Hurairah, “...The man (Jibreel) again asked, "O Allah's Messenger, What is Ihsan (i.e. perfection or Benevolence)?" The Prophet ? said, ??????????? ???? ???????? ??????? ????????? ???????? ?????? ???? ?????? ??????? ????????? ???????

"Ihsan is to worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you do not achieve this state of devotion, then (take it for granted that) Allah sees you." [Bukhari]

In the Prophetic traditions, this hadith is known as Umm al-Sunnah or the Mother of the Sunnah for it lays the foundation on which the Sunnah is built and what it propagates. The Prophet was known for his concise yet powerful words in delivering a message. Here in one line, he taught us all the very ethics of working as a team or even as an individual on any project. This could relate to a more private or individual level of management when it comes to overall quality control and management of the project. The team is always supposed to work with their utmost dedication and efficiency, just as they would work when their supervisor or project manager wasn’t available. This degree of professionalism and adherence to the vision of the project will for sure enhance the quality of the project and promote the idea of a positive work culture.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah ? said:

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If the people were to know what excellence is there in the Adhan and in the first row, and they could not (get these opportunities) except by drawing lots, they would have definitely done that. And if they were to know what excellence lies in joining the prayer in the first takbir (prayer), they would have vied with one another. And if they were to know what excellence lies in the night prayer and morning prayer, they would have definitely come even if crawling (on their knees).

This hadith again teaches us to not compromise quality of work over quantity or just for the sake of meeting deadlines. Also we see that as a project manager, the Prophet of Allah giving incentives to them team to make sure or rather to push them to get work done on time. Not just getting the work done, but strive to get quality work on time.

People need to work on and maintain their relationship with the Creator, Allah. This is because when people get close to Allah, their life is more organized and disciplined. As a vicegerent of Allah we have to enjoin the good thing and forbid the evil. We need to preserve and enhance our relationship with humankind and all other creations with the intention that this is also a part of our Ibadah.