The Dilemma of Qardhul Hasan: A Literature Synthesis and Empirical Study of the Gap Between Theory and Practice in Islamic Financial Institutions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24256/kharaj.v8i3.12294Keywords:
Qardhul Hasan; Qardh Contract; Islamic Financial Institutions; Implementation; Social Function.Abstract
This study is motivated by a gap between the ideal concept and practical implementation of the Qardhul Hasan contract across Islamic financial institutions in Indonesia. Normatively, Qardhul Hasan is a tabarru' contract intended to provide benevolent, interest-free loans as a manifestation of the social function of Islamic financial institutions. However, its implementation varies according to institutional characteristics, operational orientation, and internal policies. This study aims to analyze the implementation of Qardhul Hasan in Islamic Commercial Banks (BUS), Islamic Business Units (UUS), Islamic Rural Banks (BPRS), and BMT/KSPPS through a synthesis of literature and empirical studies. The study employs a descriptive qualitative method integrating literature review, semi-structured interviews, observation, and documentation. The findings indicate that BUS and UUS implement their social functions through benevolent funds distributed as grants and social programs, whereas BPRS and BMT/KSPPS implement benevolent funds through Qardhul Hasan financing using revolving funds. The study demonstrates that Qardhul Hasan constitutes an implementation of the qard contract; thus, the differences identified concern not the underlying sharia principles but the implementation models adapted to each institution's characteristics. These findings establish a typology of Qardhul Hasan implementation and provide implications for developing models that balance social functions and institutional sustainability.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Nadhira Azka, Devina Putri Nabilah, Ainin Nursiam, Diyanah Nabilah, Susi Susilawati, Alya Istiqomah
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