WHISTLE-BLOWING

From Islamic Perspective

1. 2. 3. 4.

NUR ATIF ZAIDI NOR FATHINAH ZAKARIA NOR FATIN MOHD ARIFFIN NORRASHIDAH MOKHTAR

0920816 0921182 0927192 0928066

WHISTLE-BLOWING

Why? Who?
Exposes the

What?
Act of engineer in disclosing unethical or illegal behaviour by an employer or supervisor by informing the public or higher management

When? An insider reports alleged organizational misconduct to public

wrongdoings
in an organization

To preserve ethical standards Protect against wasteful, harmful, or illegal acts

resign blow the whistle Keep quiet

What should he do??

Act of disclosure

Recipient

Elements

Topic

Agent

Criminal offences

Deliberate cover up of information

REASONS OF WHISTLE BLOWING

Violate legal obligation

Danger to environment

Danger to health or safety of any individual

CASE STUDY

Engineering ethics concept and cases, Charles E. Harris, Wadsworth Publishing Company, page 44-46

TYPES OF WHISTLEBLOWING

AIM OF WHISTLE BLOWING

To combat procedures or dealings which directly or indirectly violate the unrestricted public interest (maslahah mursalah)

POSITION OF WHISTLE BLOWING IN ISLAM

Lawful in Islam if it is done in the right way

It is a duty of a Muslim

Al-amru bil maruf wa an-nahyu an almunkar

Shahadah (witness attestation)

POSITION OF WHISTLE BLOWING IN ISLAM

As a duty of witness attestation

In the Qur'an 2:283 ".. And do not conceal the evidence for whoever hides it surely his heart is sinful, and Allah, is All-knower of what you do".

One of the three stages of Iman is preventing a wrongdoing with our mouth
As narrated by Abu Said al-Khudri (R.A): I heard the Prophet (S.A.W) saying "He who saw Munkar (wrongdoing) amongst you should prevent it with his hand, if unable to, then with his mouth (i.e. whistle blowing), if unable to, then (dislike it) in his heart and that is the least of faith."

RELATION BETWEEN WHISTLE BLOWING AND BACK BITING

Backbiting (ghibah) - saying something bad about someone which he doesn't like to someone else in his absence.
If the whistle blower has a bad intention to condemn or damage someone's reputation he is considered to commit ghibah or backbiting.

Backbiting is haram.

MORAL GUIDELINES TO WHISTLE BLOWING

Morally permissible
The severity of the case Concerns have been made known to the superiors

Morally obligated
Documented evidence Strong evidence

No satisfaction from their immediate superiors

EFFECT OF WHISTLE BLOWING

Can change policies that benefits employees and individual End of unethical practices Can save live Provide warning system Could be seen as nasiha, amr maruf nahi munkar, sulh or islah

Negative consequences to the blower (e.g job loss, ligitation, stress) Lack of trust toward internal system Could be interpreted as ghibah, tajasus, fadihah or fitnah

negative

positive

COMMONSENSE PROCEDURE IN WHISTLE BLOWING

Study the rules of whistle blowing Be prompt in expressing objections Proceed in a tactful, low key manner Keep update your actions with the supervisor

Observations and records

Consult for advice Consult the ethics committee of professional society Consult a lawyer

PREVENTING WHISTLE BLOWING

Strong corporate ethics culture

Clear lines of communication within the corporation

All employees must have meaningful access to highlevel managers in order to bring their concerns forward Willingness on the part of management to admit mistakes publicly if necessary

CONCLUSION
.. the forgiver of sin, the accepter of repentance, the severe in punishment, the Bestower (of favours), None has the right to be worshipped but He, to Him is the final return
[40:1-3]