The Moral Economy of Development: Unpacking Islamic Perspectives

Abstract

The ethical crisis in modern human resource development (HRD) practices demands an alternative approach that emphasizes not only productivity but also moral and spiritual values. Islamic economics offers a holistic framework for development through the integration of ethics into HRD strategies. This study aims to explore how Islamic ethics are practically integrated into HRD strategies within Islamic educational and economic institutions. Employing a qualitative approach with a multiple case study design, data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observations, and document analysis from three selected institutions. The findings reveal that values such as amanah (trustworthiness), ‘adl (justice), ihsan (excellence), and taqwa (God-consciousness) serve as strategic foundations in HR empowerment processes. These values are internalized through curricular initiatives, personal mentoring, and transformative institutional culture. The study implies the importance of an ethics-based development paradigm in shaping high-integrity and competent human capital. The results contribute theoretically to the development of Islamic HRD models and offer practical alternatives for educational and economic institutions in Muslim societies.