In the present study, the author raises the question of whether Islam demands a fundamentally different economic system, and if so, what characteristics define this economic system. She provides a clear introduction to the regulatory framework of Islam and discusses economically relevant norms. Using the example of Islamic businesses in South Africa, she addresses issues of Islamic economics, examines Islamic banking, and the role of Islamic welfare organizations. The author demonstrates that Muslim entrepreneurs, despite the Islamic mandates of business ethics, such as the obligation of social giving or the prohibition of interest, do not necessarily operate in a fundamentally different manner than non-Muslims; rather, they typically choose economic actions over religious ones. However, she also argues, using New Political Economy, that religious behavior can influence economic decisions.