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Aziz Alili
Episode · #620

EKUMENA I ETIKA U POSLOVANJU Aziz Alili

Guest Aziz AliliHosted by Augustin BašićMay 3, 2026
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation

When we think of ethical business, we rarely turn to a religious leader for practical guidance. Yet, Aziz Alili, the Main Imam of Zagreb and the first Hafiz in a non-Muslim country, offers a unique perspective on navigating daily life, work, and faith. His conversation moves beyond abstract theology to the lived reality of integrating deep spiritual commitment with the demands of a modern secular workplace. Alili explores how an ancient tradition informs contemporary challenges, from the lifelong dedication required to preserve sacred texts to the nuanced flexibility needed for prayer during a workday. You will leave this conversation considering how the principles of an ancient faith can shape the very definition of integrity and community in a business context.

Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
The definition of 'Hafiz' isn't merely someone who has memorized the entire Quran; it is, as Alili explains, one who 'preserves it until death.' True mastery, in this view, is not the initial acquisition of knowledge, but the sustained, lifelong stewardship of it.
02
An ancient Arabic proverb states that 'learning in youth is like carving in stone.' What you commit to memory early, particularly before adolescence, forms an indelible foundation that persists through life.
03
The Quran's very first revelation begins with the command 'Read, but in the name of your Lord.' This anchors all knowledge in a higher purpose, suggesting that learning itself is not neutral; its ultimate value depends on the intention and service it upholds.
04
When faced with the practical constraints of daily work, Islamic jurisprudence offers the principle 'necessity alters the law' ('Daruratutu bihul mahdurat'). This means that strict rules can be adapted to real-world limitations, allowing individuals to fulfill religious obligations through flexible solutions like short prayer breaks.
05
Unlike individual daily prayers, the crucial Friday Jumu'ah prayer cannot be performed alone; it requires community in a mosque. Some obligations are fundamentally collective, highlighting that for certain practices, community is not just a preference but an essential condition for fulfillment.
06
Zagreb, even during the former Yugoslavia, stood out as a more liberal environment where Muslims could express themselves more freely, attracting intellectuals beyond just economic migrants. An open cultural environment fosters deeper integration and draws diverse talent, enriching the entire society.
07
Muslim minorities in Croatia, including Albanians and Bosniaks, contributed significantly to the nation, including a notable proportional involvement in the defense war. Active participation in a country's most critical moments is a powerful, tangible signal of integration, demonstrating belonging beyond mere tolerance.
08
Alili distinguishes between 'homeland communities' of Muslims, like those in Croatia or Slovenia, and diaspora communities in Western countries. This distinction shows that historical rootedness shapes a minority's identity and integration differently than more recent migration patterns.
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