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Importance of Spiritual Intelligence (SQ) and Spiritual Congruence
(SC) : Factors that May Contribute to Individual’s Attitude towards
Purchasing Decision in Halal Cosmetic
Abstract- This paper reviews the articles on how importance
does an individual’s spiritual intelligence (SQ) and spiritual
congruence (SC) affect individual’s attitude in making decision
in purchasing product. When the person lives in a way that
blends spirituality into his daily life, it will reflect their attitudes
and behavior in making the best decision in his life and this
allows its association with the rational cognitive processes like
goal achievement and problem solving. Meanwhile SC is to
examine the degree of match between how consumers
actually see themselves in relation to product image. The
paper examines the academic literature on construct as well
as presents SQ and SC as a causal factor in the formation of
the attitude and behaviors of the consumer. The phenomenon
of SQ in the organization and workplace has received
enormous attention from other scholars. The construct of SQ
in individual perspective and developing measurement scale
to explore the dimensionality of the concept has not been
much explored. While SC is to examine the degree of match
between how consumers actually see themselves in relation to
Halal cosmetic product image. Thus, this study attempts to
enrich the understanding the importance of SQ from the
Islamic and western perspective, and SC of individual’ attitude
towards purchase Halal cosmetic among female Muslim in
Malaysia.
Keywords: attitude, spiritual intelligence, spiritual
congruence, purchase, halal cosmetic.
I. Introduction
Muslim population is rising almost 21.01
percent from 1.666 billion of the world’s
population and has received increasing
importance in world economy (Isfahani, Pourezzat,
Andolmanafi and Shahnazari, 2013). Islam is the religion
on the sight of Allah (Quran, 3:19) which completes a
set of rules, regulations, ethics, guidance and mercy to
mankind as espoused in several verses and chapters of
the Quran and Sunnah (Naail, 2012). Islam is a practical
religion that influences in shaping the Muslims customers’
attitude and behaviours (Isfahani et. al, 2013;
Author α : PhD Candidate, Institute of Business Excellence, Arshad
Ayub Graduate Business School, Faculty of Business Management,
Universiti Teknologi MARA. e-mail: azreenjihan@gmail.com
Author σ : Associate Professor, Institute of Business Excellence,
Arshad Ayub Graduate Business School, Faculty of Business
Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA.
Naail, 2012; Junaidah, 2009; Tayeb, 1997). Religion has
a significant impact on values, habits, attitudes and
lifestyle which may influence their purchasing behaviour
(Isfahani et al., 2013; Jusmaliani and Nasution, 2010).
From the Islamic religious perspective there are several
reasons to consider Islam with importance in global
business ethics. First, Islam produces framework that
shapes moral and ethical behaviour of a growing
number of Muslim consumers around the global.
Second, there is rising number of Muslim countries that
represents some of the most affluent consumers in the
world. Third, there is increasing level of foreign
investment in Muslim countries; fourthly, there is a
growing momentum towards the formation of a Muslim
trading block and lastly there is condition of political
mood that currently appears to give definitive push
towards greater “Islamization” in the form of a return to
the application of Islamic law (Shari’ah) to all facets of
life and thoughts (Samir, 2012; Saeed, 2001).
According to the Shariah (Islamic law) all issues
concerning Halal or Haram and even all disputes should
refer to the Quran and Sunnah (Samir, 2012). The
mainstream of any industry should apply ethical
behaviour that leads to customer credibility, confidence
and trust (Samir, 2012). Today, the wave of global halal
industry has increasing growth in many parts of the
world (Isfahani et al., 2013; Swidi, 2010). Halal has
developed a vital way to create and maintain Muslim
identity in a world of global affairs (Sean, 2010; Isfahani
et al., 2013). The growth rate of halal market is
estimated at 15 percent that has made it as the fastest
growing market (Isfahani et. al, 2013). As wealthier
Muslim population in Muslim major countries (Western
Europe and United States) there is possibility that halal
markets and halal products have become a vast
business (Samir, 2012). Estimation around the world
shows that 70 percent Muslims follow halal standards
(Isfahani et al., 2013). Having 60% of the population
being Muslims, Malaysia has been responsible in
developing standard for the Halal industry and
establishing the requisite to ensure that the standard
meets the international best practices and envision
championing Halal economy.
Halal cosmetics and toiletries industry is one of
the great potential industries to drive the Halal economy
(Swidi, 2010; Mahathir, 2010). The industry has been
forecast to emerge as the next important sector after
halal food and Islamic finance (Mahathir, 2010).
Cosmetics and toiletries in Malaysia seen slightly growth
in 2008 (Swidi, 2010). In earlier times, Malaysian
consumers tend to purchase only the basic product
(bath gel and shampoo) but today Malaysian
consumers are spending on personal care products at
the rate of more than 40% during the last few years,
going from RM2.3 billion in 2000 to RM2.9 billion in 2010
(Swidi, 2010). One of the crucial reasons behind this is
because Malaysian women place great importance on
personal grooming as their lifestyle has been much
affected by the movement of people to big cities (Swidi,
2010). There is a set of rules for all aspects of life in
Islam in order to meet the spiritual needs of Muslim
community and it has gained unique position in the
Islamic markets (Saeed, 2013). For Muslims, those who
are growing more spiritually, their actions are integrated
as to either pleasing or displeasing to Allah. Thus, they
become more concern about what, when, where, how,
from who, and how much to consume (Baker, 2010).
II. Literature Review and Theoretical
Framework
In Islam, moral and transcended elements
should be strongly emphasized within the production
and decision-making process, and they are guided by
the principles of business ethics. It should be pointed
out that certain commercial practices and goods are
forbidden by Islam, thus indicating that there is no
laissez–faire in Islam (Abuznaid, 2006). The Quran
states: O ye people eat of what is on earth, lawful and
good and do not follow the footsteps of the evil one, for
he is to you an avowed enemy
(Quran, 2:168). Islamic
ethics imply that accurate product information should be
provided not only when goods are sold, but also in
marketing literature and in advertising (Wilson, 2006).
The products are appropriate for their intended and
promoted use. The development of a product should be
visualized differently as compared to western thinking.
Packaging must comply with Islamic Shariah whereby
the Halal logo may relieve the customer to purchase the
product with confidence. Halal certified gives Muslims
certainties with the products that they use do not contain
any ingredients which would conflict with their beliefs
(Mandi, 2011). In Quran Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:90 has
touched on the ingredient or content of the product.
Muslims must emphasize the usage of Halal cosmetics
from alcohol and avoid strictly using all kinds of
alcoholic content. Muslim identity approach should be
executed rather than decision based on the profit
maximization (Samir, 2012).
a) Spiritual from Islamic Perspective
Most business organizations today are facing
daunting behavioral repercussions from employees’
attitudes (Naail, 2012; Karakas, 2010; Siti Akmar et al.,
2012). More employers today are encouraging
spirituality in the workplace as a way to enhance
employee’s morale, commitment and productivity which
will then lead to benefits in the areas of creativity,
honesty, personal fulfillment, and commitment, and will
ultimately lead to increased organizational performance
(Krishna kumar and Neck, 2002). Islamic spirituality is
capable of producing a complete Muslim who would
worship Allah and also be valuable member to his
society through kindness (Naail, 2012; Hawa, 2004). In
recent years, there is insufficient research that gears
towards Islamic spirituality and its contribution to the
modern development. Most research on spirituality has
been conducted from the Judeo-Christian and Hinduism
faith and lacking in research which is particularly
focused on some relevant aspects of spirituality in the
Quran and the Prophetic Tradition, which represent the
viewpoints of the major religion of the world, that is,
Islam (Naail et. al, 2012). Verily, God does not change
the condition of a people until they change themselves
(Surah Ar-Rad Quran 13:11). Islamic Spirituality has led
to the Islamic Golden Age, and it is Islamic Spirituality
that will enable the Ummah to rise out of the current
abyss it has fallen into and usher in a Second Islamic
Golden Age, an age of peace, prosperity and divine
purpose during which the honor, integrity, nobility and
beauty of Islam will be restored. This could lead to
attaining high ethical and moral values of individual that
might control many undesirable behaviours such as
greed, corruption, disobedience of individual that are
negatively affecting in their daily lives (Naail, 2012;
Hawa, 2004; Al- Gazali, 2004).
According to Ibrahim (2012), Islam recognizes
that human being consists of two parts, there are
physical and spirit “nafs” (in Arabic language).
Spirituality is rooted in faith (Iman) demonstrated by the
Islamic rituals of prayer, fasting, pilgrimage to Mecca
and charity (Al-Gazali, 2004). These rituals help the
Muslims to get closer to the Creator (Nasr, 1987).
Otherwise Muslims become just empty rituals with no
value. All the rituals Allah has instructed the be
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