Syariapreneur: The New Paradigm of Islamic-Based
Entrepreneurship
Juliana Juliana
1
, Ropi Marlin
2
, Udin Saripudin
3
and Husnul Khatimah
4
1
Economics and Islamic Finance Department, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Jl. Dr. Setiabudhi, Bandung, Indonesia
2
STIE DR.Khez Muttaqien, Purwakarta, Indonesia
3
STAI Bhakti Persada Bandung, Kabupaten Bandung, Indonesia
4
Universitas Islam 45 Bekasi, Bekasi Indonesia
Keywords: Syariapreneur, Entrepreneurship, Islam.
Abstract: One of the important problems facing Indonesia is the low ratio of employers. This research attempts to
construct the concept of entrepreneurship in Islamic perspective to overcome the problems of increasing
aspect of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship that uses Islamic values by writers is called shariapreneur.
Shariapreneur is meant as an activity in order to seek God's gifts by devoting all the capabilities possessed in
hopes of obtaining his blessings in the form of profit both material and non-material. Shariapreneur is different
from the conventional (capitalist) Entrepreneurship. The method used in this study is qualitative with literary
review approach taken from several sources, both books and related scientific journals. This method is used
to elaborate the model of shariapreneur. Muslim entrepreneur should make his religion as a guidance in
working so that he is freed from desire to justifiy any means. Islam encourages its followers to become
entrepreneurs as outlined by Allah in the Qur'an and Sunnah. Every type of Islamic entrepreneurship should
be based on aqidah, shari'a and morals. This study disagrees with Baumol, and Dew and Sarasvathy, in general
they say entrepreneurship tends to engender negative impacts. This study shows that entrepreneurship can be
detrimental to socially. Moreover, they show that the opportunistic soul in entrepreneurship can encourage
corrupt behavior as well as exploitative behavior.
1 INTRODUCTION
Developed countries are countries that have at least
2% of the entrepreneur ratio from the total population.
That statment was delivered by David (1969) in his
research (Ciputra, 2007). David Mc Cleland said, to
make the economy of a country tough, the number of
employers should be at least 2% of the population, or
about 4.8 million entrepreneurs from the population
of Indonesia, amounting to 240 million people.
Many studies have found that there will be more
entrepreneurs if people have high entrepreneurial
values and become cultures (Davis, 2010). The best
community is a society that has a large number of
entrepreneurs. In addition Gupta and Srinivasan say
that a poor country is not caused by lack of resources,
but does not have enough number of good
entrepreneurs (Gupta, 1992). Further Schumpeter
(1934) and Matlay (2005) said the activities of
qualified entrepreneurs will accelerate the economic
development of a country.
It is therefore not surprising that entrepreneurs are
referred to as factors of production (Glancey, 2000),
as innovators (Schumpeter, 1934), change agents, and
catalytic agents of change (Young, 1987). Even
further according to Schumpeter (1934) and Azim
(2011) entrepreneurs are said to have a role as an
engine of economic growth, minimizing the gap
(Leibenstine, 1978) and strategic decision makers
(Knight, 1921) in the process of industrialization of a
country. Entrepreneurs are the only active agents that
utilize technology, manage resources and business
initiatives to exploit business opportunities (Azim,
2011).
Yusof and Pangil (2005) state that there are four
reasons why entrepreneurs are important in society,
namely: First, To utilize producing factors such as
land, capital, technology, information and human
resources (HR) producing effective tasks. Second,
Identify opportunities in the environment by
increasing activities that will benefit everyone
(beneficial to everyone). Third, To choose the best
668
Juliana, J., Marlin, R., Saripudin, U. and Khatimah, H.
Syariapreneur: The New Paradigm of Islamic-Based Entrepreneurship.
In Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Islamic Economics, Business, and Philanthropy (ICIEBP 2017) - Transforming Islamic Economy and Societies, pages 668-672
ISBN: 978-989-758-315-5
Copyright © 2018 by SCITEPRESS – Science and Technology Publications, Lda. All rights reserved

approach in utilizing all production factors to
minimize waste in various entrepreneurial activities
(minimize wastage in entrepreneurial activities).
Fourth, For the benefit of future generation (Frinces,
2010).
The importance of entrepreneurship in society is
not just a 'tool' to make improvements and changes in
the quality of life itself and society, but also
entrepreneurship is also proven to play a significant
role in realizing the quality of self-society and nation
(Frinces, 2010). So with the existence of
entrepreneurs, they can be able to change the
character of society into a modern, creative and
innovative society.
Another proof of the importance of
entrepreneurship is reinforced by the results of a
study by Peter F. Drucker in his book entitled
Innovation and Entrepreneurship that Ciputra
dictated (Saturday, 21 February 2009) in his article on
SK Indopos under the title 'Job Creation Solution in
the Middle of Global Crisis' that entrepreneurs have a
big role in creating employment in the United States
(US) within the period 1965-1985 while at that time
the US economic conditions are very unfavorable
which is called by Drucker as the -nogrowth
economy. Drucker said, as quoted by Ciputra (2009)
as "In no other peace time period has the United
States created as many new jobs, whether measured
in percentage or in absolute number" (Frinces, 2010).
The existence of entrepreneurs in Indonesia in fact
according to the Indonesian Business Incubator
Association (AIBI) that the number of new
entrepreneurs Indonesia amounted to 0.18 percent or
400,000 people, whereas the ideal number should be
above 4.4 million people (Frinces, 2010). This is
certainly far behind the United States which has
reached 11.5 percent of the population are
entrepreneurs, China 10 percent, Japan 8 percent,
Singapore 7.2 percent and Malaysia 4 percent (Ihsan,
2013). Whereas, the number and the quality of
entrepreneurs in a country proved to contribute to
increase income per capita. For example, in
Singapore, the number of entrepreneurs who make up
7 percent of the population makes per capita income
of 40,920 US $. Malaysia whose entrepreneurs
account for 3 percent of the population, each capita
income reaches 7,900 US $. While Indonesia with the
number of entrepreneurs as much as 0.24 percent, but
each capita income only 2580 $ (Afiff, 2012).
Based on the above description, it is important to
answer the question what and how the Islamic view
of entrepreneur? The questions above attract the
interest of the author to conduct a study, with
qualitative methods through the literature review
approach. Further formulate it in the form of
appropriate strategies and policies in the economic
activities of Muslims and the general public
2 PREVIOUS RELEVANT
RESEARCH
Few previous studies relevant to this study are as
follows: Islam and entrepreneurship (an idea in
fostering the spirit of Muslim entrepreneurship)
(Maloko, 2012). In this journal, Thahir says a Muslim
entrepreneur must make his religion a guidance in
working so that he is liberated from the end justifies
any means. In addition, Tharir in his writings say
Islam has a basic nature that encourages people to
entrepreneurship.
‘Entrepreneurship From an Islamic Perspective’,
Ali Aslan Gumusay (2014). This study discusses the
role of religion in entrepreneurship. In this study,
Aslan views entrepreneurship in an Islamic
perspective or in short Entrepreneuship Islamic
Prespectiv (EIP). According to him, EIP is based on
three fundamental pillars: entrepreneurship, socio-
economic/ethical, and religious-spiritual. Aslan
explains how Islam is able to shape entrepreneurship
on a micro and macro level, in this study
demonstrating how Islam can be regarded as a very
encouraging religion in the field of entrepreneurship.
In addition, the research results show that Islam is
possible and able to encourage entrepreneurial
activities with a model called interlinking Islam with
entrepreneurship.
Entrepreneurial Culture in Perspective of Islamic
Studies on Employees Cooperative Kakitangan
Angkasa Berhad (Kokita), Selangor, Malaysia.
Zulkifli et al. (2013). According to Islam is a religion
that covers all aspects of life. Islam advises its
followers to become entrepreneurs as outlined by
Allah in the Qur'an and Sunnah which is the main
source in educating people to live better, especially in
carrying out commercial transactions (mu'amalat)
The same thing is said by Charles Mitchel in
(Syaitori, 2014) and Naqvi (1994) which states the
influence on business strategy can be much greater
than expected. The religious philosophical
dominance in culture has a major impact on one's
approach in business even if the person is not a devout
follower of religion. Furthermore they say the value
of religion and morality is a basic human need to
regulate the behavior of his life (Naqvi, 1994).
On the contrary, those that explain that
entrepreneurial behavior has no effect on welfare and
Syariapreneur: The New Paradigm of Islamic-Based Entrepreneurship
669

even tend to give negative impact. These studies show
that entrepreneurship can actually be a disastrous
socialite. For example, Baumol (1968) suggests that
opportunistic entrepreneurship generating rents can
encourage corrupt behavior and exploitative behavior
because the possession of the rich is forcibly taken
over by the kingdom. In addition, entrepreneurial
innovation can lead to "loss and hardship for some
members of society" because entrepreneurship is
"destroying the welfare of multiple stakeholders even
creating new welfare among other stakeholders".
Even further (Weber, 1963) says that Islam is an
economic barrier and a barrier to prosperity and
fulfillment of human ambition, potential and
prosperity (Faizal, 2013) claims that Islam has a
tendency to hinder development, as well as
McClelland (1961) Islam is generally low in
achievement.
The study also disagrees with George (1990), he
stated in Business Ethic, the myth of amoral business
believes that behavior can not synergize with the
moral aspect. Between business and morals there is
no connection whatsoever and hence, it is a mistake
if business activity is judged by using a morale
benchmark (Hafidz, 2012).
3 ISLAM, ENTREPRENEURSHIP
AND SYARIAHPRENEUR
Islam is a religion that provides guidance for the
welfare of human life in the world and the hereafter.
The Qur'an clearly invites people to work to live in
this world, especially in the field of commerce and
entrepreneurship which is regarded as the noblest
profession of the Prophet Muhammad's legacy. In
other words Islam recommends that every Muslim to
be an entrepreneur (Mentzer, 1988). Employers will
always be a major contributor to economic growth
through dynamic leadership and efficient
management. Muslim entrepreneurs must have
business skills, as the best Muslim entrepreneur,
Prophet Muhammad (saw) (Zulkifli, 2013).
There are many verses in the Qur'an and
descriptions of hadith that explicitly praise
entrepreneurial activity and entrepreneurial ethics
(Rasem, 2006). Siddiqi (1979) states that the goal of
Muslim entrepreneurs in terms of entrepreneurship is
to realize falah and provide social services to the
wider community.
Beg explains that Islam not only motivates
Muslims to become entrepreneurs, but in fact it is
mandatory for them to work hard and get falah out of
their urgent need to care for society and Muslims in
general (Beg, 1979). As for Sadeq emphasizes that
entrepreneurship in Islam is highly respected, and
expressly states that Islam not only provides
incentives but also a conducive framework for
economic development and entrepreneurship (Sadeq,
1997).
Entrepreneurship is one factor that can change the
economic landscape of a country (Zulkifli, 2013).
Penrose defines entrepreneurship as an activity that
involves and identifies opportunities in the economic
system. While Stevenson and Jarillo mention
entrepreneurship is a process whereby individuals
themselves try optimally to pursue opportunities
(Stevenson, 1990). While Shapero mentions that
entrepreneurship is regarded as something that has the
ability to allow developed countries to grow and
create new jobs (Shapero, 1975).
The entrepreneurship is one of many aspects in
life that have also been discussed in the Qur'an and
Hadith. Islam is a kaffah religion which views that
there is no separation between entrepreneurial and
religious activity. This perspective is certainly
different from the conventional entrepreneurship
perspective that still embraces capitalist patterns,
where in their paradigm, economic activity
(entrepreneurship included) is not associated with
religious values. This paradigm is often also referred
to as secularism, namely the idea of separating
religion from life, religion is only placed in the realm
of the individual nature only.
Unlike the case with Islamic entrepreneurship, the
concept of Islamic entrepreneurship has its own
uniqueness with its principles based on the Qur'an and
Sunnah. Prophet Muhammad SAW explicitly and
clearly teaches that a Muslim entrepreneur initiating
entrepreneurship must be solely because of Allah
(Zulkifli, 2013). Where one of the goals of
entrepreneurship in the Islamic perspective is not only
the pursuit of material gain alone. Islam as a religion
and ideology also has a unique view of the value of
action. One of the values of action that can be
achieved between seeking falah and blessing. The
blessing intended means is to carry out all business
activities based on the command and prohibition from
Allah SWT, so in practice his business does not
justify various ways. This is because Islam has
arranged for a legitimate livelihood or rizqi, one of
which is in the form of entrepreneurship.
Aziz stated that all economic functions in Islamic
economics have been regulated through the concept
of livelihood (al-Rizq) in a lawful way and not
through unlawful means (Aziz, 2011). further
according to Aziz the term al-Rizq is applied to the
ICIEBP 2017 - 1st International Conference on Islamic Economics, Business and Philanthropy
670

connotations of livelihoods and further means of
production, which have been exemplified by Prophet
Muhammad SAW and have been determined by
Allah SWT. One way to get the right rizki is through
entrepreneurial activities. Islam is one religion that
tries to encourage people to become entrepreneurs
(Nazamul, 2014). Islam encourages people to always
seek the gift of God. This is because Islamic teachings
are very much in harmony with business and
entrepreneurship (Yasmin, 2012).
Based on that the authors state that the
entrepreneurship of Islam by the author is called the
model of shariapreneur. It is based on the word
entrepreneur who has the meaning of
entrepreneurship while sharia is one important part in
the teachings of Islam.
Therefore, Shariapreneur interpreted as an
activity in order to seek God's gift by devoting all the
capabilities possessed in the hope of obtaining a
blessing in the form of profit both material and non-
material. It is intended that in the concept of
shariapreneur able to balance the world and the
hereafter.
4 CONCLUSIONS
Based on the above study can be concluded that Islam
is a religion that is very supportive to
entrepreneurship. This is proofed by some verses in
the Qur'an and the hadith which is directly or
indirectly, encourages a Muslim to work for the grace
of God. Working as an entrepreneur is the noblest
profession taught by Prophet Muhammad SAW.
Prophet Mohammed firmly and clearly teaches that a
Muslim businessman in starting an entrepreneur must
start with the sole intention of God. In addition, Islam
strongly recommends that every Muslim become an
entrepreneur. This is in contrast to previous research
which says Islam is a rigid and difficult religion to
develop entrepreneurship.
In addition, the findings in this study stated that
the shariapreneur has a new concept different from
conventional entrepreneurship. Islam
enterpreneurship which further by the writer referred
to as syarihpreneur has a characteristic that is always
based on the Qur'an and Sunnah. Shariapreneur
interpreted as an activity in order to seek the gift of
God by devoting all the capabilities possessed in the
hope of obtaining blessings in the form of benefits
both material and non-material.
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