I believe that a business practice in an Islamic country varies from that of the

United States. Being a Muslim country, the business perspective and culture definitely

differs dramatically. First huge difference is that there is a great difference in their law.

The Islamic countries law is based on their Holy Quran (Zadeh, 2008). Exports and

imports in the US are also strictly regulated, making it difficult to budge. In

Islamic countries, however, this is a little more flexible.

Another major difference in business practices in Islamic country and US is their

financial system. Islamic countries do not add interest to the loans taken where as the

United States apply interest to the loan. The prohibitions on interest payments in some

Muslim countries means that the wording of the terms of an agreement must be careful so

that "fair profits" are not construed as being "interest payments

The business practices in the Islamic world are complex. According to Hayes and

Vogel, business people, particularly Westerners who work in the Persian Gulf and other

Islamic regions such as Asia and North Africa, need to appreciate the extent to which

religion and Islamic law are intertwined and permeate all levels of society, including

commerce, to greater and lesser degrees depending on the country (Legace, 2002).

Islamic countries dont like gambling and they are compassionate in business and

dont put pressure when the business is down. The public role women can take,

appropriate etiquette (including simple things like not passing objects with the left hand),

holidays, and wining and dining all differ from patterns in the US.

In Islamic countries, the business deals are more of verbal and face-to-face and

very less signature and contract. They depend on the words the business partners deal.

The US has more of proper paper works and strict practices that are carried out legally.
Since Muslims are stewards of property for God, rather than owners, they are more likely

to use their resources carefully and may be less likely to give up or sell something to a

person who may not practice the same stewardship.

Reference:

Zadeh, E. 2008. One World Religion. Business Practices in an Islamic Country.

Legace, M. 2002. How To Do Business in Islamic Countries. Harvard Business School.