The Qur'an's Perspective on Poverty: A Comprehensive Analysis

Authors

  • Maraulang Maraulang Alauddin State Islamic University of Makassar, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24256/jiis.v5i1.8517

Keywords:

Qur'an's Perspective, Poverty

Abstract

Poverty is a persistent global challenge with multifaceted dimensions affecting societies worldwide. In Islamic teachings, the Qur'an provides comprehensive insights into poverty, addressing its economic aspects and moral and social implications. This study explores the Qur'an's perspectives on poverty, examining its relevance in modern socio-economic contexts and proposing strategies for effective poverty alleviation. Islamic teachings emphasize social justice, equality, and collective responsibility, which are crucial for understanding and addressing poverty. Concepts such as zakat (obligatory almsgiving), sadaqah (voluntary charity), and waqf (endowment) serve as foundational instruments for wealth redistribution and social cohesion. These teachings advocate for a society where the affluent support the less fortunate, fostering a more equitable distribution of resources. In contemporary society, poverty persists despite economic growth and development efforts. The Qur'anic principles offer holistic approaches to poverty that encompass spiritual, moral, and economic dimensions. These include empowering individuals through education and skills development, promoting economic self-reliance, and ensuring fair access to resources and opportunities for all members of society. This research employs a literature review methodology to explore Qur'anic insights on poverty, analyzing verses and interpretations from Islamic exegesis (tafsir) and scholarly works. It identifies key themes such as the obligation to give, the ethical considerations of wealth, and the role of community solidarity in poverty alleviation. The findings contribute to theoretical knowledge in Islamic studies and practical guidance for policymakers and social institutions seeking effective strategies to combat poverty. By integrating Qur'anic teachings into poverty alleviation strategies, this study proposes a framework for sustainable development that addresses the root causes of poverty while promoting social justice and collective well-being. Understanding and applying these teachings not only benefit Muslim communities but also offer valuable insights for global efforts to achieve inclusive and sustainable development goals

References

Abubakar, A., Hadade, H., & Negeri Sambas, P. (2023). Thematic Study of Poverty in the Al-Qur’an (Islamic Economic Perspective). Journal of Management Science (JMAS), 6(1), 149–156. https://doi.org/10.35335/jmas.v6i1.201

Achtziger, A. (2022). Overspending, Debt, and Poverty. Current Opinion in Psychology, 46, 101342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101342

Al-Mesilini, S. Z. (2023). Principles Of Realizing Social Justice From The Perspective Of The Qur ’ an And Nahj Al-Balaghah. Journal of Namibian Studies, 1(35), 2029–2054. https://doi.org/10.59670/jns.v35i.3923

Ariandini, R. (2019). Pribumisasi Islam dalam Tafsir al-Azhar Pada QS. At-Taubah ayat 60 tentang Mustahiq Zakat. MAGHZA: Jurnal Ilmu Al-Qur’an Dan Tafsir, 4(2), 232–248. https://doi.org/10.24090/maghza.v4i2.3167

Azadbakhti, Z., & Parvini, K. (2020). Spiritual Poverty in Islam (1): Its Harms from the Perspective of the Holy Qur’an and Hadiths. International Journal of Multicultural and Multireligious Understanding, 7(9), 52. https://doi.org/10.18415/ijmmu.v7i9.1885

Azid, T., & Ward-Batts, J. L. (2020). Economic Empowerment of Women in the Islamic World: Theory and Practice. World Scientific. https://www.google.com/books?hl=id&lr=&id=JWjvDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR5&dq=islam+and+economic+empowerment&ots=P2PUlvuMeV&sig=P0QrcI8bYCPos-k8qYwRIeFTYuE

Basid, A., & Faizin, N. (2021). Reinterpretasi Ayat-Ayat Ahkam tentang Zakat (Analisis terhadap QS. Al-Baqarah 110, QS. Al-Taubah 60 & QS. Al-An’am 141). Al Yasini, 6(1), 10–22. http://ejournal.kopertais4.or.id/tapalkuda/index.php/alyasini/article/view/4281

Begum, H., Alam, A. S. A. F., Mia, M. A., Bhuiyan, F., & Ghani, A. B. A. (2019). Development of Islamic Microfinance: A Sustainable Poverty Reduction Approach. Journal of Economic and Administrative Sciences, 35(3), 143–157. https://doi.org/10.1108/jeas-01-2018-0007

Brady, D. (2019). Theories of the Causes of Poverty. Annual Review of Sociology, 45, 155–175. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-soc-073018-022550

Cipta, H., & Zakirman, A. (2024). A Systematic Literature Review Study on Dakwah and Islamic Economic Empowerment. Mawa’izh: Jurnal Dakwah Dan Pengembangan Sosial Kemanusiaan, 5(1), 102–131. https://doi.org/10.32923/maw.v15i1.4358

de Bruijn, E. J., & Antonides, G. (2022). Poverty and Economic Decision Making: A Review of Scarcity Theory. Theory and Decision, 92(1), 5–37. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11238-021-09802-7

Evans, G. W., & De France, K. (2022). Childhood Poverty and Psychological Well-being: The Mediating Role of Cumulative Risk Exposure. Development and Psychopathology, 34(3), 911–921. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579420001947

Fakrurradhi, F. (2022). Prinsip-Prinsip Ekonomi Islam dalam Al-Qur`an Menurut Tafsir Ibnu Katsir. Al Mashaadir : Jurnal Ilmu Syariah, 2(2), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.52029/jis.v2i2.55

Frankenhuis, W. E., & Nettle, D. (2020). The Strengths of People in Poverty. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 29(1), 16–21. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721419881154

Fuad, A. (2022). Poverty Reduction Strategy Based on Family Empowerment in the Perspective of Islamic Law. Prosperity: Journal of Society and Empowerment, 2(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.21580/prosperity.2022.2.1.10164

Hafandi, A., & Helmy, M. (2021). Creating a Social Justice Trough Zakat and Its Relevant To Poverty Alleviation: a Perspective of Abul a’La Al-Maududi. An-Nisbah: Jurnal Ekonomi Syariah, 8(1), 1–31. https://doi.org/10.21274/an.v8i1.3622

Herianingrum, S., Supriani, I., Sukmana, R., Effendie, E., Widiastuti, T., Fauzi, Q., & Shofawati, A. (2024). Zakat as an Instrument of Poverty Reduction in Indonesia. Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research, 15(4), 643–660. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIABR-11-2021-0307

Hossain, M. M. (2019). Achieving Sustainable Development Goals: Poverty Alleviation from an Islamic perspective. International Conference on Religion, Governance …, October 2019. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Muhammad-Hossain-38/publication/336770026_Achieving_Sustainable_Development_Goals_Poverty_Alleviation_from_an_Islamic_perspective/links/5ff00b82299bf1408864c278/Achieving-Sustainable-Development-Goals-Poverty-Alleviati

Jagtap, S. (2019). Design and Poverty: A Review of Contexts, Roles of Poor People, and Methods. Research in Engineering Design, 30(1), 41–62. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00163-018-0294-7

Junaidi, J., Majid, L. A., & Nazri, M. A. (2023). Revisiting Social Justice: Exploring the Qur’Anic Paradigm in Addressing Contemporary Challenges. Afkar, 25(2), 153–192. https://doi.org/10.22452/afkar.vol25no2.5

Kementrian Agama RI. (2017). Al-Qur’an dan Terjemahnya. Karya Toha Putra.

Khan, F., & Haneef, M. A. (2022). Religious Responses to Sustainable Development Goals: An Islamic Perspective. Journal of Islamic Monetary Economics and Finance, 8(2), 161–179. https://doi.org/10.21098/jimf.v8i2.1453

Khan, M., & Khan, M. A. (2023). Poverty in Islamic Philosophy. In The Routledge Handbook of Philosophy and Poverty. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003162926

Kirom, Z., & Asyhar Kholi. (2021). Zakat dalam Perspektif Tafsir Al Qurthuby (Kajian Tafsir Ayat Zakat di Surat al Baqarah). Qaf, Jurnal Ilmu Al-Qur’an Dan Tafsir, 3(2), 3. https://ojs.unsiq.ac.id/index.php/mth/article/view/6471/2883

Lister, R. (2021). Poverty. John Wiley & Sons. https://www.google.com/books?hl=id&lr=&id=wuQSEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA1928&dq=Poverty&ots=lotzXCYRUV&sig=tAq1S-KRBjrGA2Sp07FhulRw6pU

Middlemiss, L., Ambrosio-Albalá, P., Emmel, N., Gillard, R., Gilbertson, J., Hargreaves, T., Mullen, C., Ryan, T., Snell, C., & Tod, A. (2019). Energy Poverty and Social Relations: A Capabilities Approach. Energy Research and Social Science, 55(June), 227–235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2019.05.002

Mohammad Abdullah. (2020). Islamic Endowment (Waqf) in India: Towards Poverty Reduction of Muslims in the Country. Journal of Research in Emerging Markets, 2(2), 48–60. https://doi.org/10.30585/jrems.v2i2.482

Muhammad Nooraiman Zailani, NurulHuda Mohd Satar, & Roza Hazli Zakaria. (2023). Multidimensional Poverty Measurement from Islamic Perspectives: A Survey of the Literature. International Journal of Economics, Management and Accounting, 31(1), 77–98. https://doi.org/10.31436/ijema.v31i1.1020

Mustaqim Makki. (2019). Tafsir Ayat-Ayat Zakat Sebagai Penguat Konsep Filantropi Ekonomi Keummatan. Jurnal Qawanin, 3(2), 117–137.

Nájera Catalán, H. E. (2019). Reliability, Population Classification and Weighting in Multidimensional Poverty Measurement: A Monte Carlo Study. Social Indicators Research, 142(3), 887–910. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-018-1950-z

Olawole, O., & Abiodun, K. (2021). The Political Economy of Poverty: Lack of Political will or Poor Economic pPolicy in Africa (A Case Study of Nigeria). Journal of Social, Political, and Economic Studies, 46(1–2), 95–115.

Rahman, A., & Siradjuddin, S. (2020). Islamic Economic Concept in Poverty Alleviation. Journal of Asian Multicultural Research for Economy and Management Study, 1(2), 67–74. https://doi.org/10.47616/jamrems.v1i2.68

Rahman, W. (2023). The Function of Treasure from the Al-Qur’an Perspective. Journal of Islamic Economic and …, 1(2). http://businessandfinanceanalyst.com/index.php/JIEBS/article/view/96%0Ahttp://businessandfinanceanalyst.com/index.php/JIEBS/article/download/96/49

Ramazonov, N., Khonnazarov, E., Choriev, O., & Yulbarsov, O. (2020). Interpretation and Artistic Function of the Concept of Faqr in Alisher Navoi’s Lyrics. International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology, 29(5), 1633–1641.

Ravallion, M., & Chen, S. (2019). Global Poverty Measurement When Relative Income Matters. Journal of Public Economics, 177, 104046. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubeco.2019.07.005

Royce, E. (2022). Poverty and Power: The Problem of Structural Inequality. Rowman & Littlefield. https://books.google.com/books?hl=id&lr=&id=8Kd2EAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=increasing+economic+inequalities+underscore+the+urgency+to+find+effective+solutions+to+alleviate+poverty&ots=2aRynKhLI8&sig=yOzUL6UXGKyAkN-BWn_0yD0dNyw

Saihu, S., & Islamy, A. (2019). Exploring the Values of Social Education in the Qur’an. Academic Knowledge, 3(1), 34–48.

Salmani, N., Hamidieh, B., Elmi, G., & ... (2021). Poverty Discourse Analysis in the Qur’an within the Framework of Laclau and Mouffe’s Theory. Iranian Journal of Applied …, 13(2021), 33–52. https://doi.org/10.22111/IJALS.2021.6664

Sofian, M., Syamsuwir, S., & Amril, D. (2020). Penafsiran Ayat-Ayat Zakat oleh Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya Al-Kandahlawi dalam Buku Fadhilah Sedekah. Istinarah: Riset Keagamaan, Sosial Dan Budaya, 1(2), 55. https://doi.org/10.31958/istinarah.v1i2.1776

Soliman, A. M. (2021). Urbanization and Urban Informality in the Era of Globalization BT. In A. M. Soliman (Ed.), Urban Informality: Experiences and Urban Sustainability Transitions in Middle East Cities (pp. 85–120). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-68988-9_3

Sule, M. M., & Mainiyo, A. S. (2024). Impact of Qur’Anic Moral Excellence on the Lives of Muslim Society: an Exposition. Spektra: Jurnal Ilmu-Ilmu Sosial, 6(1), 65–92. https://doi.org/10.34005/spektra.v6i1.3637

Tahir, I. N. (2019). The Neglected Approach to Poverty Alleviation. International Journal of Economics, Management and Accounting, 27(1), 41–82.

Tamangkeng, S. Y. L., & Maramis, J. B. (2022). Kajian Pendekatan Fenomenologi: Literature Review. Jurnal Pembanguan Ekonomi Dan Keuangan Daerah, 23(1), 14–32.

Zauro, N. A., Saad, R. A. J., & Sawandi, N. (2020). Enhancing Socio-economic Justice and Financial Inclusion in Nigeria: The Role of Zakat, Sadaqah and Qardhul Hassan. Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research, 11(3), 555–572. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIABR-11-2016-0134

Downloads

Published

2025-10-31

How to Cite

Maraulang, M. (2025). The Qur’an’s Perspective on Poverty: A Comprehensive Analysis. Journal of Indonesian Islamic Studies, 5(1), 57–69. https://doi.org/10.24256/jiis.v5i1.8517

Citation Check

Similar Articles

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.