Relevance of Islamic Teachings on the Prohibition of Corruption in Relation to Modern Public Administration: An Empirical Analysis

Abstract

This research empirically examines the relationship between Islamic ethical principles and corruption levels in public administration. While previous studies have theoretically explored Islamic teachings on corruption, empirical investigations remain limited. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining survey data from 378 public officials across five Muslim-majority countries with corruption indices and content analysis of administrative codes. Results indicate a significant negative correlation (r = -0.63, p < 0.001) between knowledge of Islamic ethical principles and corruption tolerance among administrators. Countries with stronger Islamic ethical frameworks in administrative codes demonstrated lower corruption indices (β = -0.42, p < 0.01), controlling for economic development. Factor analysis revealed three key dimensions of Islamic administrative ethics: Amanah (trustworthiness), ‘Adalah (justice), and transparency, which together explained 68% of variance in administrative integrity scores. These findings suggest that Islamic ethical principles, when properly operationalized in administrative contexts, can significantly contribute to corruption prevention and promote good governance. The research provides quantitative support for integrating religious ethical frameworks into public administration training and policy development.