An excerpt from Datuk Dr. Syed Othman Alhabshi's paper on the "Islamic Approach to Quality, Producitivty" See full text here.

Islamic teachings provide a number of ways which can specifically be applied to the improvement of quality and productivity. Some of them are listed below.

1. Every action (good deed) should be accompanied by clear intention (objective). It is this objective which will govern the manner in which one performs his task. If he is aware that striving for livelihood is a form of worship, he should treat his act of striving for livelihood as such. This will obviously make him a better employee. He should perform his duties in the most excellent manner. He should be honest and sincere in undertaking his tasks. Similarly, if the principles and procedures laid down by the employer are meant to improve quality and productivity, the intention he should have is not merely to perform his tasks as required, but that he should intend to be a productivity and quality conscious person himself.

2. Islam demands its adherents to do more than what is minimally required. A Quranic verse enjoins thus: "Verily God demands that you establish justice and be efficient and proficient". The Quranic term ihsan which is normally taken to mean proficiency or efficiency can also be interpreted to mean "the performing of some task more than what is minimally required". This implies that a good Muslim will always feel obliged to put in extra effort, extra time (not overtime), extra interest to ensure that he would provide more than what is legally or minimally required of him. This interpretation augurs well with the concept of productivity and quality which requires genuine interest and commitment to improve all the time. One cannot be complacent with simply achieving zero defect, for example, but one should try to achieve it in shorter time, or lower cost, etc.

3. Islam also demands that all its adherents should take His Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) as his role model. This is again a very strong motivation for Muslims to perform his tasks in the most excellent manner.

4. A Muslim is also encouraged to undertake all tasks skilfully and diligently. This is a reflection of one of the Prophet Muhammad's (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) sayings which is obviously obligatory on every Muslim. There is no place for unskilled or slip shod work in Islam.

5. A Muslim is enjoined to frequently (daily at least) evaluate his good and bad (if any) deeds. Having realized how little he has achieved for the day, he should also plan in detail what he needs to achieve for the next day. By so doing, he would be able to ensure that all his duties are performed on time and in the best possible manner.

6. A Muslim is also enjoined to strive towards excellence all the time. Excellence is something which is infinite. There is no limit to excellence. One should attempt to improve himself however much he has excelled. 

The industrial revolution was actually motivated by the true Protestant ethics and puritanism. The Islamic empire was the result of genuine strive by God conscious Muslims. Contemporary societies have lost the invigorating force which necessarily comes from deep-rooted religious values. We have recently witnessed the collapse of Communism in Europe. We are witnessing the gradual decline of the U.S. and Japanese economies. These declines are due to the moral decadence of modern societies. We have to go back to basics. As a dual being who is simultaneously physical and spiritual, we have to entertain the dire needs of our souls. This is the crux of the matter and this is where religions have an active role.

God knows best.