*) Gambar sebagai ilustrasi
The 4M Cycle as a Process of Never Ending Improvement (NEI):
Mudzakarah → Musyawarah → Mujahadah → Muhasabah → (Back to) Mudzakarah
(Each cycle yields a small improvement, a new internalized value, or a high-performance habit.)
In the pursuit of building a culture of continuous improvement, or Never Ending Improvement (NEI), we need an approach that is not only rational and technical but also touches spiritual, social, and ethical dimensions. This is where the 4M Framework comes in as a holistic development model that aligns the dimensions of thought (mudzakarah), collaboration (musyawarah), personal struggle (mujahadah), and deep reflection (muhasabah). The cycle is not just a method of improvement — it is a meaningful and productive way of life.
1. Mudzakarah: Cultivating Awareness and Initial Inspiration
The 4M cycle begins with mudzakarah, an open and curious exchange of knowledge, thoughts, and wisdom. In the NEI context, mudzakarah becomes a space to open minds, identify problems, capture ideas, and understand the context of change. It can take the form of open discussions, thematic study sessions, reading references together, or inviting inspirational speakers.
The goal of this phase is not just to acquire knowledge but to create collective awareness of the importance of change. Ideas that emerge from mudzakarah tend to be more mature and rooted in dialogue, not personal assumptions.
Examples of implementation:
- Weekly study sessions themed “finding wisdom behind work challenges”
- Cross-team open discussions on industry trends and real problems
- Reading and discussing articles or inspirational quotes together
Mudzakarah begins the cycle by illuminating both mind and heart to become sensitive to improvement opportunities.
2. Musyawarah: Formulating Collective Decisions
Once the awareness of the need for change is established, the next step is musyawarah — a process of discussing, considering, and agreeing on a plan of action collectively. In NEI, musyawarah plays a vital role in transforming inspiration into decisions and concrete steps.
Musyawarah ensures that decisions are not the result of coercion or top-down policies but emerge from collective reflection. This strengthens the sense of ownership over the change and improves the quality of implementation.
A good musyawarah does not focus only on outcomes but emphasizes open dialogue, listening to each other, and seeking the best meeting points. It also helps build a collaborative culture in organizations or communities.
Examples of implementation:
- Weekly planning meetings based on dialogue and consensus
- Co-mapping of problems and drafting of a solution roadmap
- Open idea forums with respectful debate and joint decision-making
Through musyawarah, the ideas from mudzakarah are crafted into actionable and feasible plans.
3. Mujahadah: Implementation and Consistent Struggle
After the plan is agreed upon, the next stage is mujahadah, which refers to a sincere and dedicated effort to implement the changes. In the context of NEI, mujahadah represents full commitment to overcome both internal and external challenges during the implementation of improvements.
This is the test phase: can good ideas truly be brought to life? Mujahadah demands discipline, sincerity, and persistence. Without it, change will remain nothing more than a plan.
In organizational or work culture, mujahadah is demonstrated through consistent hard work, resilience in the face of failure, and refusal to give up when results are not yet visible. It also involves pure intentions so that the struggle is not tainted by personal ambition or self-glorification.
Examples of implementation:
- Personal or team challenges to adopt new habits over 30 days
- Daily commitment to executing change responsibilities diligently
- Integrating spiritual dimensions — such as prayer, intention, and remembrance — into work
Mujahadah is the bridge between intention and outcome; between discourse and real action.
4. Muhasabah: Reflection and Evaluation Based on Heart and Data
Every struggle needs reflection. This is where muhasabah comes in — the process of evaluating what has been done, not only in terms of performance but also intentions and impacts. Muhasabah is a key phase in NEI, serving as a mirror to look inward and improve future processes.
Muhasabah is not only about identifying what succeeded or failed, but also about asking why, how it impacted others, and what lessons can be drawn. It promotes honesty, sincerity, and humility — without which, improvement may stall due to ego.
In teams or organizations, muhasabah can be done structurally through weekly reviews, reflective reports, or evaluation discussions. On a personal level, it may take the form of daily journaling, prayer, or spiritual contemplation.
Examples of implementation:
- End-of-week or project retrospectives
- Personal reflection on intentions, processes, and outcomes
- Asking, “What can we do better next week?”
Muhasabah ensures that improvement does not simply repeat mistakes but grows through deeper understanding.
5. Returning to Mudzakarah: A More Meaningful Cycle Begins Again
After muhasabah, the cycle returns to mudzakarah. But this time, it does not begin from ignorance — it begins from experience. The new cycle is richer and more mature, now informed by real-world practice and spiritual insight.
Each round of the 4M cycle delivers one small improvement (incremental improvement), one new internalized value, or one high-performance habit. In other words, it creates an ever-rising spiral of goodness: from idea → to action → to value → to lifestyle.
This is the essence of Never Ending Improvement — not just constant change, but meaningful growth.
Closing: Making 4M a Progressive and Meaningful Culture
The 4M Framework is not only relevant in Islamic contexts but is highly applicable in modern management, organizational learning, and personal development. It unites logic, emotion, faith, and action in a structured yet spiritual cycle.
By adopting 4M as a process for NEI, we create a culture that does not merely chase efficiency or results — but one that seeks meaning, values, and character. We’re not just building smarter organizations or individuals — we’re building wiser and more dignified ones.
Let us embrace 4M as a path toward holistic, deep, and everlasting transformation.
Because in truth, the best improvements are those that continue to live on in our minds, our actions, and our hearts.
If you have any questions regarding training, mentoring, planning, or development services we offer — or are interested in collaboration — please feel free to contact us at: haitan.rachman@inosi.co.id
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