Wenni Ristia Ulandari, Miti Yarmunida, Khairuddin Khairuddin, Ahmad Khoirudin Khoirudin, Liliany Purnama Ratu

Between Spirituality and Accountability: The Dynamics of Friday Prayer Infaq at the Baitul Jannah Mosque from an Islamic Economic Perspective

Introduction

Between spirituality and accountability: the dynamics of friday prayer infaq at the baitul jannah mosque from an islamic economic perspective. Analyze Friday prayer infaq dynamics at Baitul Jannah Mosque from an Islamic economic view. Explore spiritual motivation, management, and economic realities, suggesting digital transparency & empowerment solutions.

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to analyze the factors influencing the Friday prayer infaq practice of Baitul Jannah Mosque worshippers from an Islamic economic perspective, focusing on the interaction between spiritual motivation, mosque management, and economic conditions. Design/Method/Approach: Using a qualitative approach with a descriptive case study design. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with six key informants (worshippers, mosque administrators, and religious leaders), and supported by observation and documentation. Data analysis is carried out through the stages of data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing by triangulating sources for validity. Findings: The fluctuations in Friday prayer infaq are influenced by the economic instability experienced by some pilgrims, especially the young age group. The principle of hifz al-mal (safeguarding wealth) is often more dominant than spiritual motivation, so infaq is seen as the allocation of residual income. Conventional financial reporting has not been fully able to reach pilgrims who rarely attend and the digital generation, and the allocation of funds oriented to physical operations reduces the optimization of social benefits of community empowerment. Originality/Value: This research contributes to the study of mosque management and Islamic philanthropy by revealing the dynamics of infaq behavior in low-income housing communities. The findings show that strengthening digital-based transparency and the development of community economic empowerment programs have the potential to increase infaq participation by bridging the gap between spiritual values and the economic reality of pilgrims.

Review

This study offers a timely and pertinent exploration into the dynamics of Friday prayer infaq at the Baitul Jannah Mosque, effectively bridging the often-disparate realms of spiritual motivation and economic accountability from an Islamic economic perspective. The qualitative case study design, employing semi-structured interviews complemented by observation and documentation, provides a nuanced understanding of donor behavior in a specific community context. Key findings, such as the prevalence of *hifz al-mal* over purely spiritual drives and the challenges posed by conventional financial reporting for the digital generation, reveal critical insights into the practicalities of mosque management and Islamic philanthropy. The originality lies in its focus on low-income housing communities, highlighting the unique interplay of economic reality and religious obligation, and proposing actionable recommendations for digital transparency and community empowerment. While the study provides rich descriptive insights, some methodological limitations warrant consideration. The reliance on a small sample of six key informants, though suitable for an in-depth case study, inherently restricts the generalizability of the findings to broader populations or other mosque contexts. A clearer articulation of the specific theoretical framework derived from "Islamic economic perspective" beyond the mention of *hifz al-mal* could have further strengthened the analytical depth, demonstrating how core principles directly inform the interpretation of data. Furthermore, while the abstract identifies issues with conventional reporting and the digital generation, a deeper exploration into the specific barriers and how digital solutions are envisioned to overcome them would add more practical detail to the proposed interventions. Despite these limitations, the paper makes a valuable contribution to the understanding of mosque management and Islamic philanthropy, particularly concerning the challenges of *infaq* generation and allocation in economically vulnerable communities. The findings underscore the importance of adapting mosque operations to contemporary realities, emphasizing transparency through digital means and strategically orienting fund allocation towards community economic empowerment. This shift from purely physical operational costs to social benefits holds significant potential for increasing participation and fostering sustainable development. Future research could build upon this foundational qualitative work by expanding the sample size, employing quantitative methods to validate these findings more broadly, or conducting comparative studies across different socio-economic settings to further refine strategies for effective Islamic giving.

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