THE ROLE OF ISLAMIC SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN ENHANCING COMMUNITY WELFARE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Keywords:
Islamic Social Responsibility, ISR, Zakat, Waqf, Sadaqah, community welfare, sustainable development, poverty reduction, SDGs.Abstract
This study investigates the role of Islamic Social Responsibility (ISR) in promoting social welfare and sustainable development, highlighting how Islamic principles of justice (‘adl), charity (ihsan), and stewardship (khilafah) provide a holistic foundation for addressing socio-economic challenges. ISR contributes through the redistribution of wealth and support for essential public services—such as poverty alleviation, education, and healthcare—via key instruments like zakat, waqf, and sadaqah. A qualitative approach was employed, combining literature review, case study, and semi-structured interviews with 10 purposively selected participants, including Islamic scholars, policymakers, and financial institution officials. Thematic analysis was used to identify ISR mechanisms, assess them against Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and examine implementation barriers. Findings underscore ISR’s potential as a strategic tool for policymakers in addressing current social and economic issues. Future research could explore ISR’s effectiveness across different cultural or economic contexts and assess its integration into national development policies.
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