Philanthropy in the Perspective of the Qur'an
Keywords:
Islamic Philanthropy, Al-Miskīn, Al-Sā’il, Al-Faqīr, Tematic ExegesisAbstract
This study aims to re-examine the concept of philanthropy in the Quran to shift the paradigm from charity-based giving toward rights-based social welfare redistribution. This qualitative study employs a thematic exegesis (tafsīr maūḍū‘ī) approach integrated with semantic analysis. The dataset comprises 34 verses from 19 surahs systematically inventoried, with a hermeneutic focus on 8 primary verses representing both Makki and Madani contexts. The findings demonstrate that the Quran meticulously delineates the criteria for aid recipients: first, Al-Faqīr, depicting severe physical or material deprivation that impairs the ability to meet basic needs; second, Al-Miskīn, reflecting economic limitations where an individual earns an income that remains insufficient for a decent standard of living; and third, Al-Sā’il, referring to individuals soliciting assistance due to pressing needs. A synthesis of semantic analysis, context of revelation (asbāb al-nuzūl), classical and contemporary scholarly interpretations, and relevant Hadiths confirms that Quranic concern for marginalized groups is not merely a voluntary act, but a fundamental social structure and collective right. Exegeses of verses such as QS. At-Tawbah [9]: 60, QS. Adh-Dhariyat [51]: 19, and QS. Al-Ma'un [107]: 1–3 directly correlate ritual piety with social responsibility. This research concludes that Islamic philanthropic instruments position beneficiaries not as objects of charity, but as legal subjects entitled to welfare and the preservation of human dignity.
Keywords: Keywords: Islamic Philanthropy, Thematic Exegesis (Tafsīr Maūḍū‘ī), Al-Faqīr, Al-Miskīn, Al-Sā’il
ABSTRAK
Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji ulang konsep filantropi dalam Al-Qur'an guna menggeser paradigma dari kedermawanan karitatif (charity-based) menuju redistribusi kesejahteraan berbasis hak sosial (rights-based philanthropy). Studi kualitatif ini menggunakan pendekatan tafsīr maūḍū‘ī (tematik) yang dipadukan dengan analisis semantik. Korpus data mencakup 34 ayat dari 19 surah yang diinventarisasi secara sistematis, dengan fokus analisis hermeneutik pada 8 ayat utama yang mewakili konteks Makkiyah dan Madaniyah. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Al-Qur'an secara cermat membedakan kriteria penerima bantuan, pertama, Al-Faqīr yang Menggambarkan kondisi kekurangan fisik/materi yang berat hingga kehilangan kemampuan memenuhi kebutuhan pokok. Kedua, Al-Miskīn yang Menggambarkan keterbatasan ekonomi di mana seseorang memiliki penghasilan namun belum mencukupi kehidupan secara layak. Ketiga, Al-Sā’il yang Mengacu pada pihak yang meminta bantuan karena desakan kebutuhan tertentu. Sintesis atas analisis semantik, asbāb al-nuzūl, penafsiran mufasir (klasik hingga kontemporer), serta hadis-hadis terkait menegaskan bahwa perhatian Al-Qur'an terhadap kelompok marginal bukan sekadar aksi sukarela, melainkan fondasi struktur sosial dan hak kolektif. Penafsiran atas ayat-ayat seperti QS. At-Taubah [9]: 60, QS. Adz-Dzariyat [51]: 19, dan QS. Al-Ma'un [107]: 1–3 mengorelasikan kesalehan ritual secara langsung dengan tanggung jawab sosial. Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa instrumen filantropi Islam mendudukkan penerima manfaat bukan sebagai objek belas kasihan, melainkan subjek hukum yang memiliki hak atas kesejahteraan dan penghormatan martabat kemanusiaan (human dignity).
Kata kunci: Filantropi Islam, Tafsir Maudhu'i, Fakir, Miskin, Al-Sā'il
References
Al-Asfahani, Al-Raghib, Al-Mufradat Fi Gharib Al-Qur’an (Maktabah Nazar al-Mustafa)
al-Din al-Biqai, Burhan, Nazm Al-Durar Fi Tanasub Al-Ayat Wa Al-Suwar (Dar al-Kitab al-Islami)
al-Din al-Razi, Fakhr, Mafatih Al-Ghayb (Dar Ihya’ al-Turath al-‘Arabi, 1999)
al-Din al-Suyuti, Jalal, Al-Itqan Fi ’Ulum Al-Qur’an (Dar al-Kutub al-’Ilmiyyah, 2010)
———, Lubab Al-Nuqul Fi Asbab Al-Nuzul (Mu’assasah al-Kutub al-Thaqafiyyah, 2002)
al-Fida’ Ismail ibn ‘Umar Ibn Kasir, Abu, Tafsir Al-Qur’an Al-‘Azim, ed. by Sami ibn Muhammad al-Salamah (Dar Tayyibah, 1999)
al-Qaradawi, Yusuf, Fiqh Al-Zakah (Mu’assasah al-Risalah, 2006), I
Al-Wahidi, ibn Ahmad, Asbab Al-Nuzul (Dar al-Kutub al-’Ilmiyyah, 1991)
Al-Zuhayli, Wahbah, Tafsir Al-Munir Fi Al-’Aqidah Wa Al-Syari’ah Wa Al-Manhaj (Dar al-Fikr, 2009), XXX
ibn Ahmad al-Qurtubi, Abu ‘AbdAllah Muhammad, Al-Jami‘ Li Ahkam Al-Qur’An (Mu’assasah al-Risalah, 2006)
ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Abu Ja‘far Muhammad, Jami‘ Al-Bayan ‘an Ta’Wil Ay Al-Qur’A
ibn Mustafa al-Zuhayli, Wahbah, Al-Tafsir Al-Munir Fi Al-`Aqidah Wa Al-Syari`ah Wa Al-Manhaj (Dar al-Fikr al-Mu`asir, 2009)
Ma’louf, Louis, Al-Munjid Fi Al-Lughah Wa Al-A’lam (Dar al-Masyriq, 2008)
Shihab, M Quraish, Tafsir Al-Mishbāh Pesan, Kesan Dan Keserasian Al-Qur’an (Lentera Hati, 2002)
Shirazi, Nasim Shah, Md. Dulal Miah, and Abdul Ghafar Ismail, ‘Integrating Islamic Philanthropy into Sustainable Development Goals: Evidence and Policy Implications’, Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Islamic Economics, 33.1 (2020), pp. 45–62
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Emi Suhemi Suhemi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
