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The purpose of this study endeavour is to delve into the perceptions and sense-making of both spiritually empowered leadership and workplace spirituality at the Akhuwat Foundation, a prominent social sector microfinance organization in the Muslim majority economy of Pakistan.

Using a qualitative research approach and an intrinsic instrumental case study research methodology, a series of 16 in-depth semi-structured interviews and three focus group discussions (each focus group contained five members) were conducted with employees and leaders at the Akhuwat Foundation of Pakistan from June 2020 to June 2021.

The findings from thematic data analysis show that the spiritual leadership at Akhuwat Foundation implemented workplace spirituality by creating a spiritual environment, such as brotherhood, at the workplace. Moreover, the employees exercise workplace spirituality by voluntarily performing their duties at lesser salaries. Alternatively, spiritual leaders care for employees by reducing organizational problems and improving their employees’ well-being.

Although this research explores spiritual leadership and workplace spirituality in the national context of Pakistan, further investigation in other contexts is required to cross-check and validate the research findings.

Regulators and policymakers of organizations operating in Muslim-majority countries should focus on brotherhood, inspire employees through vision, resolve organizational challenges and create a spiritual environment for spiritual leadership and workplace spirituality to improve employee well-being, broader societal welfare and organization’s overall performance.

This study revealed new themes of workplace spirituality and spiritual leadership in the organizational context of a Muslim-majority country, Pakistan, identified context-specific themes and enhanced the theory of spiritual leadership and workplace spirituality.

This study explores the integration of workplace spirituality in organizational practices and its contribution to sustainability. By investigating three organizations in Pakistan’s social sector and microfinancing, the research seeks to identify convergences with known workplace spirituality dimensions and uncover new spiritual practices of case study organizations promoting sustainability.

To investigate WS practices in the selected organizations, a qualitative multiple-case research methodology was used. Semi-structured interviews, focus groups and organizational document analysis were used to gather data. The elements of workplace spirituality and their connections to sustainability were identified and categorized using thematic analysis. With a focus on concrete insights into the real-world applications of WS in promoting sustainability, the study is driven by a pragmatic approach.

Empathy, meaningful work, ethical conduct and employee well-being are among the WS elements identified by the research that are in line with the body of current literature. These dimensions foster social cohesiveness, moral decision-making and comprehensive employee support. Unique contributions to economic empowerment and sustainability are highlighted by new aspects including halal earnings, volunteer assistance through Qarz-e-Hasana (interest-free loans) and a triple bottom line emphasis. These actions highlight WS’s vital role in attaining long-term sustainability and empowering marginalized populations.

The study’s scope is restricted to three microfinance and social sector organizations in Pakistan, which can limit the findings’ applicability to other industries or geographical areas. Furthermore, subjectivity is introduced by the use of qualitative approaches and context-specific cultural elements may affect how workplace spirituality is interpreted. For a more comprehensive knowledge of the effect of WS on sustainability, future studies might broaden the scope by including a variety of sectors and using mixed-method techniques.

For businesses looking to incorporate workplace spirituality into their operations to ensure sustainability, this research offers practical insights. Organizations may improve employee engagement, establish trust and advance social well-being by using strategies like encouraging empathy, encouraging moral behavior and aiding underprivileged populations. To ensure sustainability, the results urge leaders to match their organizational goals with spiritual concepts. Furthermore, a triple-bottom-line approach and the introduction of novel practices like Qarz-e-Hasana provide a path forward for resolving societal injustices and advancing holistic development.

In addition to examining new and developing issues in the literature on workplace spirituality, this research looked at how workplace spirituality is constructed in Pakistani organizations and offered suggestions for new, sustainable organizational practices.

Within the context of positive psychology, workplace spirituality is explained in this review. The purpose of this study is to analyze both workplace spirituality and positive psychology literature that can further help in developing positive organizational and human qualities. This study looks at the theories of workplace spirituality and positive psychology and analyzes how they relate to one another. Value theory, flow theory and institutional theory shed light on this review.

In this extensive systematic assessment of the literature covering the years 2000–2023, the authors carefully reviewed 83 papers about positive psychology and workplace spirituality. The primary goal was to identify the different facets and aspects of positive psychology and workplace spirituality, as well as to know about these concepts, their similarities and differences in an organizational setting.

A thorough examination of their important aspects at the individual, group and organizational levels is provided, emphasizing the remarkable parallels between workplace spirituality and positive psychology. Notably, the two fields share a common emphasis on the strategic application of preventative measures to alleviate probable organizational confusion. The study also provides directions for further studies.

This study examines the connections between workplace spirituality and positive psychology through a systematic literature review, with an emphasis on research questions.

Organizations stand to lose a great deal from the workplace integration of spirituality and positive psychology. It increases employee well-being, engagement and productivity. It strengthens corporate culture, advances leadership strategies and fosters innovation. These benefits improve the organization’s commitment, output and long-term sustainability and elevate it as a more appealing place to work and develop.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the paper is original and produced after a thorough study of workplace spirituality and positive psychology literature.