Gratitude and its conceptualization: An Islamic perspective

Employees constitute an integral part of every organization, and their behaviours cultivate success or failure for the entire industry. Each organization should be cognizant of its employees’ behaviours that can be translated through their behavioural outcomes. One of such outcomes is the level of gratitude (Shukr in Islamic perspective) that can be conceptualized further by establishing its link with employees’ social or pro-social behaviours using lens of Islamic philosophy. The literature from the perspective of Holy Quran and Sunnah (Prophet’s practices) suggests that a good number of employees working in different industries have an element of dissatisfaction reflected through various factors including lack of Shukr (gratitude). This calls for a conceptual undertaking along with its subsequent empirical assessment as the former needs a robust and holistic understanding before proceeding to the latter. The study begins with a strong conceptualization by comparing conventional and Islamic perspective of Shukr and to synthesize key factors which can later help in scale development of Shukr. After a careful comparison between conventional and Islamic viewpoints, three components (dimensions) of Shukr were conceptualized such as Shukr bi’l-qalb (gratitude expressed by inner feelings), Shukr bi’l-lisan (gratitude expressed by tongue) and Shukr bi’l-badan wa’l-arkan (gratitude expressed by body and limbs). This conceptualization can potentially serve as a tool to examine the level of contentment, employees exhibit at workplace which eventually leads to life and job satisfaction.