Epistemological Re-reading of Islamic Management Knowledge: Providing Implications for Understanding Islamic Management Knowledge and the Pattern of Its Realization

Purpose:
This article aims to typologize the theories discussed in the field of management in order to provide a foundation for evaluating and formulating theories categorized as Islamic management. Given the diverse reactions within Islamic societies to modern Western sciences—ranging from full acceptance based on the role of reason in religious epistemology to calls for transformation—the study argues that resolving this debate depends on a deeper understanding of the essence and nature of theory.
Design/Methodology/Approach:
To develop the typology, the study reviews the philosophical foundations of Aristotle, whose framework has been widely accepted and applied by many Muslim philosophers. Aristotle’s categorization of forms of wisdom serves as the conceptual basis for classifying theories. The article analyzes these philosophical premises to construct a classification system that differentiates theories according to their epistemic basis, criteria of validity, and content structure.
Findings:
The analysis identifies three types of theory or wisdom within the realm of sciences:

Theoretical wisdom,
Practical wisdom
Poetic wisdom
Each type differs in its mode of production, standards of validity, and thematic content. As an interdisciplinary field, management knowledge draws upon all three forms of wisdom, and each type entails its own requirements and conditions for being linked to the process of Islamization. Understanding these distinctions clarifies how management theories originate and operate within different epistemological layers.
Practical Implications:
Based on the typology, the article identifies the necessary implications for achieving Islamic management knowledge. Recognizing whether a given theory belongs to theoretical, practical, or poetic wisdom informs the appropriate strategies for evaluating its compatibility with Islamic teachings, modifying its components, or developing alternative theories rooted in Islamic epistemology.
Originality/Value:
By employing an Aristotelian typology to analyze management theories, this article introduces a novel and philosophically grounded basis for assessing and constructing Islamic management theories. It contributes to ongoing debates about the interaction between Islamic thought and Western sciences and provides a structured framework to guide future efforts toward the Islamization of management knowledge.