Darulfunun Institute

Institute for Development, Research and Initiatives (IDRIS)

Tag: maqasid al-shariah

Waqf as an Instrument of Islamic Governance: Advancing Social Justice, Conflict Resolution, and Sustainable Human Development

» Perwakilan: Journal of Good Governance, Diplomacy, Customary Institutionalization and Social Networks

Waqf has been among the most stable institutions in Islamic civilization, used in funding diverse services such as education, health care, social assistance, and public services and administration throughout Muslim societies. Despite this rich legacy, scholarship to date has primarily analyzed Waqf from legal, historical, and financial perspectives, with relatively little emphasis on the role of waqf as a form of governance and a tool for achieving sustainable public policy. This article conceptualizes Waqf as a tool for Islamic governance that can be leveraged to advance social justice, support conflict prevention processes, and achieve sustainable human development. Using a qualitative conceptual research design through an integrative review of literature, the study integrates Classical Islamic Political thought, maqasid al-Shariah, Institutional Governance theory, social capital theory, and Sustainable Development discourse into a multidimensional framework of analysis. This yields the Waqf Governance for Sustainable Development (WGSD) Framework. The study demonstrates how ethically governed waqf institutions can operationalize Islamic governance principles into demonstrable outcomes on human development through investments in such areas as education, health care, entrepreneurship, environment conservation, legal services, social security and community mediation. By reframing waqf from a philanthropic endeavor to a governance institution that complements existing states institutions, while addressing issues of social justice, equity, participation and public benefit, the article provides a new dimension to the waqf literature. The study concludes that reforming waqf governance, professionally managing it, leveraging new technologies and integrating waqf policy into broader public policy creates a potent mechanism for inclusive and sustainable development and lasting peace in Muslim societies.

14 July 2026
From Welfare to Human Flourishing: Maqasid al-Shariah as the Nexus of Islamic Social Finance, Da’wah, and Sustainable Development

» Perwakilan: Journal of Good Governance, Diplomacy, Customary Institutionalization and Social Networks

In recent years, there has been increased interest in the fields of Islamic Social Finance (ISF) and Sustainable Development. However, these fields have been considered separately, lacking an integrated approach that emphasizes the role of Da’wah as a tool for transformative change for the ethical and social betterment of society. Such fragmentation ignores the broader perspective of Maqasid al-Shariah which aspires not only for material progress, but also for the moral, social and complete human flourishing (falah). This article aims to utilize the Maqasid al-Shariah framework as the normative and strategic tool which integrates Islamic Social Finance, Da’wah, and Sustainable Development as a unified model for development. Adopting a qualitative doctrinal methodology utilizing thematic analysis of the Qur’an, Sunnah, classic juristic and contemporary literatures, this study analyzes how zakah, waqf, sadaqah, qard al-hasan, Da’wah institutions and sustainable development practices play complementary roles in achieving Maqasid al-Shariah. This study argued that Islamic Social Finance should not be understood merely as poverty alleviation but rather as a catalyst for change which works alongside Da’wah as interconnected mechanisms for enhancing human dignity, social justice, ethical reform and social well-being for human beings and the protection of the environment for future generation. The Maqasid-based conceptual framework of Islamic development is presented for policy makers to govern and manage institution towards preserving and protecting: the religion, the life, the intellect, the lineage, the wealth, the dignity, the justice, and the environment. The paper conclude that an integration of ethical transformation and Islamic social Finance under the canopy of the Maqasid al-Shariah, would represent a more holistic approach to sustainable development than models solely focused on economic progress, and thus contributing to the ongoing debate on the Islamic development theory and practice.

7 July 2026
Rebuilding Communities through Waqf: Restoring Ethical Values and Social Cohesion in Contemporary Muslim Societies

» Perwakilan: Journal of Good Governance, Diplomacy, Customary Institutionalization and Social Networks

In the context of present-day challenges in the Muslim world such as erosion of social cohesion, growing moral decay, loss of public confidence, family disruption, disengagement among youth, and widening socio-economic disparities, while much attention has been focused on waqf as an institution to fight poverty, expand education, promote healthcare, and economic empowerment, relatively little work has been done on its function as a civilizational vehicle to reinstate morality and rekindle social bonds. This article, therefore, puts forward an argument for viewing the waqf not as just a pious endowment but as a resilient institutional form that can serve to restore the ethical values and rebuild social solidarity in Muslim communities. Through an extensive library research of classical literature on Islamic history of waqf, and its contemporary research on Maqasid al-Shariah, social capital, community building, etc, this study establishes that waqf has throughout Islamic history been utilized to enhance education, strengthen families, build trust among the general public, reinforce a sense of citizenship, preserve the environment, strengthen collective identity, etc, beyond mere economic well-being. The article then outlines a Value-Centred Waqf Framework to position waqf as a multi-dimensional tool for reinculcating values, rekindling social ties, enhancing public service, and contributing to sustainable development of Muslim communities. Ultimately, this article concludes that a regeneration of waqf by its higher objectives in the Shariah provides a viable practical approach for strengthening Muslim communities from the bottom-up so they can better navigate the social challenges they face in the current global era.

7 July 2026
Integrating Cash Waqf with Microfinance for Sustainable Livelihood Development in Muslim Communities

» WAQF Business Review

Sustainable livelihood development is a major challenge facing many Muslim communities worldwide, particularly in developing countries where poverty and unemployment levels remain high. Microfinance is seen as one of the instruments used in poverty alleviation, but the method that involves lending money and earning profits (interest-based method) is facing criticisms based on Shara compliance issues. This paper proposes cash Waqf, an Islamic social finance instrument, to enhance the livelihoods options for vulnerable Muslims. As one form of Islamic endowment, cash Waqf is a flexible fund available for productive purposes and can be operated within the framework of Shara aims of wealth protection, social equity and reduction of poverty. Qualitative research is adopted in this study, focusing on doctrinal analysis of the literature on Islamic finance, along with empirical studies concerning Waqf and microfinance. This study analyzes the cases of cash Waqf in microfinance of Malaysia, Indonesia and Bangladesh in relation to operational modes, governance and the relevant Shara-compliant financing products such as qard asan, murabah and murbaah used within a Waqf-based financing mechanism. The study reveals that merging cash Waqf with microfinance could expand financial inclusion for the needy, and could strengthen the sustainability of micro-enterprises. Yet, certain operational challenges such as inadequate governance, absence of regulatory frameworks, and lack of transparency needs to be overcome. The study proposes a conceptual framework for integrating cash Waqf, Islamic microfinance and sustainable solutions, where the participation of stakeholders and provision of a supportive environment and capacity building activities are necessary. The study concludes that integrating cash Waqf and microfinance provides a sustainable approach for livelihood development of Muslim communities, offering a sustainable solution to overcome economic challenges and promote socio-solidarity for inclusive development. The paper advances the existing literature in Islamic social finance concerning the study of Waqf as a modern socio-economic development tool and provides some findings and recommendations to scale up Waqf-based microfinance to meet the SDGs particularly Poverty Reduction and Economic Growth.

15 February 2026
From Maqasid al-Shariah to the Sustainable Development Goals: Repositioning Islamic Economics as a Framework for Inclusive and Sustainable Human Development

» Journal of Regional Development and Technology Initiatives

This paper examines the potential of the ‘Maqasid al-Shariah’ to serve as a moral and institutional framework that contributes towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper, aims to present the Islamic economic system as a comprehensive framework to promote inclusive growth, social justice and sustainable human well being and thus provides an Islamic integrative framework to tackle the global Sustainable development challenges. This research adopts qualitative approach of research, that mostly depends on literature review, which encompasses the study of classical sources of Islamic literature as well as current publications on Islamic Economics, Maqasid al-Shariah, international development policy, social finance. A conceptual and analytical technique would be used to build on current body of research, to conceptualize the bridge between the principles of Islamic Economics and a broader set of global sustainable development goals. The result shows that Islamic economics has a moral and institutional foundation towards sustainable development; greater than the current economic growth focused on development models. Several principles in Islamic economics like, justice (adl), public interest (maslahah), co-operation and assistance (takaful), trusteeship (khilafah) as well as moderation (wasatiyyah) are in close correlation with the aspirations of SDGs, and take the SDGs further with moral and spiritual context. Islamic social finance instruments like Zakah, Waqf and Sadaqah can also serve as significant tools to implement SDGs in the context of poverty eradication, financial inclusion, education and health services, as well as environmental health and resilience of the economy to tacle the future challenges. Based on the above discussion, the paper proposes a conceptual model titled, ‘Maqasid-SDG Integrated Development framework (MSIDF)’, that could be utilized as guidelines to align the Islamic economics institution to achieving a sustainable and decent human well being. The study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by changing the scope of the study from an examination of Islamic finance to the exploration of the potential of Islamic economics to provide a comprehensive ethical framework for a sustainable and inclusive development in the world.

27 December 2025