Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a global phenomenon receiving increased interest from scholars and professionals, resulting in a significant body of literature on and for its use. However, the literature generated around CSR is often criticized for being biased towards the Western countries and their contextual specifications. This study suggests that the contextual dynamics associated with developing countries require careful examination of the phenomenon within the realm of its implementation, especially when executed in a region with strong religious dominance. Using a constructive grounded theory strategy, sixty-three intensive interviews were conducted with directors of for-profit, governmental and non-governmental organisations. Data from secondary sources were utilised as well. The information was rigorously analysed through a systematic process of coding, categorisation and theoretical construction to identify results grounded in respondents’ voice and experience with the phenomenon of investigation. These results indicate that the specification of the Middle Eastern region exerts significant pressure on the CSR activities of the organisations by resulting in the implementation of four distinct approaches to CSR. Largely, organisations are driven by coercive pressures to become involved in CSR, as their forms of CSR activity are used to mitigate contextual dynamics associated with the local environment. As result of these dynamics, stakeholder power obtains different dimensions that translate to community-focused forms of CSR activity. The findings also suggest that contrary to the Western CSR approach closely aligned with traditional corporate practice, the Middle Eastern practice of CSR is largely shaped by religious postulates identified in Islam. That translates to individual level motivations to become involved in CSR that consequently shape organisational behaviour and CSR conduct. This study contributes to expanding the theoretical scope of Western CSR literature, literature on CSR in developing and Middle Eastern countries, as well as in relation to stakeholder theory. Also, the study makes a significant contribution to the practice of CSR in the examined region by identifying potential areas of improvement and development for practitioners.