Exploring Islamic Work Ethics among Sharia-Compliant MSME Entrepreneurs during Economic Crisis Crisis

Abstract

Islamic business ethics is a critical area within Islamic economics, emphasizing moral integrity, spiritual accountability, and socially responsible behavior in entrepreneurship. While prior studies have addressed these principles theoretically, limited research has explored how Sharia-compliant MSME entrepreneurs experience and interpret these values during economic crises. What remains unclear is how Islamic work ethics are embodied and sustained under financial pressure in uncertain business environments. This study adopts an interpretative phenomenological approach to examine the lived experiences of Muslim entrepreneurs in applying ethical principles. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with ten Sharia-compliant MSME owners and analyzed using IPA. The findings reveal that sincerity (ikhlas), trust in divine sustenance (tawakkul), honesty (shidq), and social responsibility (amanah) are not only ideals but deeply internalized values that shape conduct, foster resilience, and offer spiritual grounding during adversity. These values constitute a coherent ethical framework that enables entrepreneurs to navigate crises without compromising religious identity or moral standards. The study highlights the value of phenomenology in uncovering the meaning-making processes behind ethical behavior. Implications include the potential for integrating Islamic ethical values into entrepreneurship education and policy-making, particularly in crisis-prone contexts. These insights enrich the discourse on Islamic work ethics and open avenues for future research on value-driven entrepreneurship.