The work ethic of medieval Muslim Ahi brotherhood: A comparison with Catholic and Puritan work ethics

Abstract

This paper compares and analyzes the Catholic Social Teaching, Puritan work ethic and Islamic ethic of medieval Muslim Ahi Brotherhood of Anatolia in terms of business ethics. A high level of similarity can be found between Catholic social teaching (CST) and a branch of the Islamic work ethic of Ahi movement. Islamic Ahi work ethic has also significant similarities with the historical Protestant work ethic. This similarity reveals the opportunity to cooperate and to foster a more humanitarian workplace, particularly in multi-cultural organizations both for Christians and Muslims. We can argue that many ethical problems arise in organizations as a result of a violation of ethical values and virtues. Corruption, sexual harassment, mobbing, nepotism, are direct results of the lack of such virtues. Therefore, it is possible to merge Catholic, Protestant and Islamic values to create a more humane workplace.