The Impact of Islamic Religiosity on Consumption Patterns: an Empirical Study on Muslim Consumers

Abstract

Unlike conventional economics, which does not address the moral dimension of consumer behavior, Islamic economics provides a framework that includes rewards and punishments for both moral and immoral actions,considering the consequences in both this world and the hereafter. An Islamic consumer is one whose behavioraligns with the teachings of Islam, particularly the Qur'an and Hadith. Such a consumer exercises control overdesires, lives according to moral principles, avoids harmful goods and services, and takes social responsibility byensuring the well-being of others. Furthermore, an Islamic consumer is committed to consuming only halal(permissible) goods and services and avoids haram (forbidden) practices. The Islamic consumer maintains a balanced approach, avoiding extremes such as miserliness or wastefulness, and allocates a portion of their resources to charity. Ultimately, an Islamic consumer prefers a simple and moderate lifestyle that reflects thesevalues. Consumption in accordance with Islamic principles is possible only under the guidance of Islam.Islamic rationality encourages consumers to maximize their utility while preserving religious, national, historical,cultural, and social values. The system directs individual behavior in accordance with the guidance of the Qur'anand Hadith, promoting ethical consumption, moderation, and social responsibility. Consumers are urged to maximize their utility while safeguarding their religious, cultural, and social values. The moral framework of Islamic economics emphasizes accountability, with rewards and punishments for behavior, taking into account the consequences in both this world and the hereafter.In this context, an Islamic consumer is defined as someone whose behavior reflects Islamic teachings. Such a consumer exercises control over desires, avoids harm to themselves or society, and consumes goods and services that are halal (permissible). The Islamic consumer prioritizes balance, avoiding extremes such as wastefulness or The main objective of this research is to analyze the impact of individuals' religiosity levels on their consumption tendencies. The study will examine not only ostentatious and luxury consumption but also halal consumption tendencies, as well as individuals' awareness and practices regarding recycling and reuse. Additionally, the effects of the presence and spread of Islamic banking on consumption tendencies will be evaluated. The research will discuss the determining factors influencing individuals' behaviors by taking into account their religiosity levels,consumption habits, and demographic characteristics.When examining religiosity scales in international literature, it is often found that these scales, originally developedto measure Christianity, do not provide meaningful results even when adapted for different cultures. Therefore, it isbelieved that a scale created within the context of Islam and Turkish cultural traditions would yield more significant outcomes. For this reason, the study will use the "Religious Orientation Scale" developed by Ahmet Onay (2002) to measure consumers' religiosity levels, ensuring that the items are tailored to reflect Islamic and Turkish culturaltraditions. This scale has shown an Alpha reliability coefficient of α=0.94 for students at Erciyes University andα=0.95 for students at Ankara University. The "Religious Orientation Scale" consists of three dimensions: 1)Thought (8 items), 2) Behavior (6 items), and 3) Emotion (4 items).When creating the survey on consumption tendencies, various questions were adapted and compiled from the coresources of Islam, primarily the Quran and Sunnah, works of classical Islamic scholars, and modern literature. Thesequestions were evaluated both in terms of content and language, and some were accepted without modification,while others were reworded to enhance clarity. The survey employs a 5-point Likert scale: "1. Never 2. Rarely 3.Sometimes 4. Often 5. Always."The data will be collected through a questionnaire. The population for the survey conducted in this research isdefined as the city of Istanbul, with a population of 15,462,452. The sample will be drawn from various districts ofIstanbul, using a convenience sampling method. The only criteria for participation in the survey are being 18 years or older and identifying as Muslim. The survey will be applied to individuals from diverse age groups, genders,marital statuses, income levels, and educational backgrounds, with no additional restrictions.The data obtained will be analyzed using SPSS software; Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) will be conducted for validity, and CronbachʼsAlpha test will be applied for reliability. The next step will involve conducting a regression analysis.This study aims to contribute to the creation of a framework compatible with Islamic understanding of consumption, rather than focusing on marketing products and services based on the new consumption habits ofMuslim consumers. The research seeks to make a significant academic contribution by redefining consumptionhabits in accordance with Islamic ethics and rules, partially distancing from the effects of capitalism and globalization.The research underscores the potential of Islamic values to foster ethical, balanced, and sustainable consumption patterns. By emphasizing moderation, responsibility, and social well-being, the study demonstrates how Islamicreligiosity can serve as a guiding framework for consumer behavior. In a world increasingly driven by materialismand consumerism, Islamic principles offer a viable alternative that aligns economic goals with moral and spiritualwell-being. This study contributes to bridging the gap between modern economic practices and Islamic ethics,providing a foundation for further research and practical applications in the field of Islamic economics and consumer behavior.