Application of Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah in Managing Mosque Funds: A Case Study of Tabung Masjid in Terengganu, Malaysia

Abstract

Mosque funds in Muslim countries where Tabarru‘āt (donations) operates should have had an enormous impact on Muslim empowerment and poverty alleviation. However, these funds appear to be managed ineffectively. In Malaysia, the setup of Tabung Masjid (TM) has not effectively achieved its goals partly due to a lack of awareness of the Islamic jurisprudential perspectives on TM funds or partly due to the uninformed ways in which these funds are managed. This paper assesses the ways in which funds generated from TM in Terengganu, Malaysia are being managed from the Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah perspective.

MOSQUE-BASED ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT IN THE MALAY WORLD: Views of Ibnu Khaldun's Asabiyah and Malik Bennabi's Civilization Theories

“…According to Omar et al (2015), some mosques in Kedah have bank deposits of up to RM 200,000 (Rp 700 million). According to a study conducted in Terengganu, the amount of money held by mosques in banks totaled RM 200 million, or about IDR 7 billion (Zakariyah, 2014). Every Friday, a mosque in Singapore receives S$12,000, or roughly IDR 120,000,000 (Abdul Malee & Mohd Balwi, 2021).…”

“…In addition, mosque funds are unrestricted. From an Islamic standpoint, unrestricted mosque funds can be used in a flexible manner (Zakariyah, 2014). During the time of the Prophet Muhammad, the mosque was a haven for the destitute and hungry (Muhammad, 1996).…”

“…During the time of the Prophet Muhammad, the mosque was a haven for the destitute and hungry (Muhammad, 1996). In modern management, mosques must play a larger role in bolstering the congregation's economic well-being (Zakariyah, 2014). Participation of mosques in entrepreneurial and economic endeavors can enhance sustainability in numerous ways (Abdul Malee & Mohd Balwi, 2021).…”