Waqf, Zakat, and Sadaqah for Environmental Empowerment: An Islamic Approach to Sustainable Development

Abstract

This article examines the potential of Waqf, Zakat, and Sadaqah (ZISWAF) as Islamic philanthropic instruments for environmental empowerment and support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study identifies a significant gap between the vast potential of ZISWAF funds in Indonesia amounting to trillions of Rupiah and the increasingly urgent environmental challenges such as air pollution, water crises, and deforestation, particularly in Central Java. Using a descriptive qualitative approach through a literature study, this article proposes an innovative synergy model of ZISWAF, referred to as Green ZISWAF, as a sustainable financing solution for environmental programs. The novelty of this study lies in formulating an integrated Green ZISWAF framework that incorporates community empowerment and intergenerational justice, distinguishing it from previous studies that tend to focus solely on financing mechanisms. This article aims to contribute conceptual insights by offering a roadmap for implementing Green ZISWAF to achieve sustainable development goals grounded in Islamic values.