Digitalization With Compassion
Embedding Local Islamic Economic Values In The Global Digital Marketplace
Abstract
The rapid growth of the digital economy provides vast opportunities for entrepreneurship but often overlooks ethical and communal dimensions rooted in local traditions. In Muslim communities, economic activities are guided by principles such as fairness (ʿadl), mutual assistance (taʿāwun), and trustworthiness (amānah), which can serve as a moral foundation for digital transformation. This study examines how Islamic economic values can be embedded into the global digital marketplace as a model of compassionate digitalization. Using a qualitative ethnographic approach, data were collected through interviews and observations of Muslim entrepreneurs engaged in e-commerce while practicing local ethical values. Thematic analysis identified patterns of adaptation that integrate Islamic ethics into digital business models. Findings reveal that aligning digital platforms with Islamic principles fosters inclusive prosperity, trust, and tolerance. The study concludes that embedding Islamic ethics into digital business promotes a human-centered, sustainable marketplace by balancing innovation with moral and social responsibility
Downloads
References
Aliyu, S., Hassan, M. K., & Paltrinieri, A. (2022). Ethical foundations of Islamic entrepreneurship and digital inclusion. Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research, 13(5), 876–894.
Beekun, R. I., & Badawi, J. A. (2021). Balancing ethics and entrepreneurship: Islamic perspectives in modern economies. International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management, 14(3), 487–502.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2019). Reflecting on reflexive thematic analysis. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 11(4), 589–597.
Chapra, M. U. (2016). The future of economics: An Islamic perspective. Islamic Foundation.
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). Sage.
Dusuki, A. W., & Bouheraoua, S. (2019). The framework of maqasid al-shariah in contemporary economic thought. Islamic Economic Studies, 27(2), 75–92.
Geertz, C. (1978). The bazaar economy: Information and search in peasant marketing. American Economic Review, 68(2), 28–32.
Hammersley, M., & Atkinson, P. (2019). Ethnography: Principles in practice (4th ed.). Routledge.
Hassan, M. K., Paltrinieri, A., & Aliyu, S. (2022). Islamic finance and digital economy: Ethical integration for sustainable growth. International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management, 15(2), 238–254.
Huda, M., & Santoso, B. (2021). Local wisdom and Islamic entrepreneurship in digital business transformation. Journal of Islamic Marketing, 12(7), 1345–1362.
Karim, N. A., Abdullah, R., & Rahim, R. (2021). Trust and ethical conduct in Islamic digital finance. Asian Journal of Business Ethics, 10(1), 1–20.
Latif, M., Khan, A., & Aslam, R. (2020). Ethical challenges in the digital economy: Islamic perspectives. Journal of Islamic Business and Management, 10(1), 15–30.
Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Sage.
Nasr, S. H. (2020). Islamic tradition and the modern world. Routledge.
Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods (4th ed.). Sage.
Pink, S., Horst, H., Postill, J., Hjorth, L., Lewis, T., & Tacchi, J. (2016). Digital ethnography: Principles and practice. Sage.
Rahman, M., & Salam, M. A. (2021). Digital transformation and ethics: A review from Islamic perspective. Information Systems Frontiers, 23(3), 1–18.
World Bank. (2023). World development report 2023: Digitalization for development. World Bank Group.
Zainuddin, A., Omar, M., & Sulaiman, M. (2022). Humanizing digital transformation through Islamic ethics. Journal of Islamic Management Studies, 10(2), 45–60.





