Young ‘Āmil as Digital Agents of Change: Spiritual Motivation, Social Media Activism, and Islamic Philanthropy Transformation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15408/jii.v15i2.48706Keywords:
‘Āmil, Islamic philanthropy, social media, resilience, digital literacyAbstract
This study explores the role of young Amils in the transformation of contemporary Islamic philanthropy by employing an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach. Focusing on five young Amils at the Graha Dhuafa Foundation, this research examines how they perceive their professional roles as a form of holistic worship that integrates ḥabl min Allāh spiritual obedience, sincerity, and trustworthiness with ḥabl min al-nās social service, justice, and compassion toward beneficiaries. Drawing on in-depth interviews and contextual observations, the findings reveal that daily spiritual practices, operational pressures, and intensive social interactions significantly shape the participants’ self-concept, psychological resilience, and sense of meaningful work. Three central themes emerged: (1) spirituality in practice, (2) self-concept transformation and resilience, and (3) digital engagement and innovation. The study further demonstrates that young Amils actively utilize social media as a strategic tool for da‘wah, zakāh literacy, transparency, and public trust-building, thereby expanding institutional outreach and increasing donor participation. These digital practices position young Amils not merely as administrative actors, but as moral, spiritual, and digital agents of change. Overall, the study highlights how young Amils contribute to reshaping Islamic philanthropy through the integration of religious values, ethical professionalism, and digital literacy, offering important insights for the sustainability and relevance of Islamic philanthropic institutions in the digital era.
References
Achmad, W. (2024). Strengthening Islamic Philanthropy for Community Empowerment through Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama Initiatives in West Java. MUHARRIK: Jurnal Dakwah Dan Sosial, 7(2), 433–448. https://doi.org/10.37680/muharrik.v7i2.6471
Alam, A., & Dyarini, D. (t.t.). Netnographic Approach: The Influence of Social Media on Zakāh Awareness Among Young Muslim Generations. Journal of Social Research, 4(12 November 2025), 8.
Alam, A., Tri Ratnasari, R., Mua’awanah, C., & Aribatul Hamidah, R. (2022). Generation Z perceptions in paying Zakāh, Infāq, and Ṣadaqah using Fintech: A comparative study of Indonesia and Malaysia. Investment Management and Financial Innovations, 19(2), 320–330. https://doi.org/10.21511/imfi.19(2).2022.28
Aldulaimi, S. H. (2016). Fundamental Islamic perspective of work ethics. Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research, 7(1), 59–76. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIABR-02-2014-0006
Alshehadeh, A. R., Al-Zaqeba, M. A. A., Elrefae, G. A., Al-Khawaja, H. A., & Aljawarneh, N. M. (2024). The effect of digital zakāh and accounting on corporate sustainability through financial transparency. Asian Economic and Financial Review, 14(3), 228–249. https://doi.org/10.55493/5002.v14i3.5016
Bennett, W. L., & Livingston, S. (2018). The disinformation order: Disruptive communication and the decline of democratic institutions. European Journal of Communication, 33(2), 122–139. https://doi.org/10.1177/0267323118760317
Black, J. K., Balanos, G. M., & Whittaker (previously Phillips), A. C. (2017). Resilience, work engagement and stress reactivity in a middle-aged manual worker population. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 116, 9–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2017.02.013
Badan Pusat Statistik. (2024). Indonesia Poverty Profi le in March 2024 (Annual No. 50/07/Th. XXVII; pp. 1–16). BPS-Indonesia. https://www.bps.go.id/en/pressrelease/2024/07/01/2370/in-march-2024--the-poor-population-percentage-decreased-into-9-03-percent-.html
Casalderrey, O. (2021, December 21). GoPay and Kopernik Launch “The Digital Donation Outlook 2020”. Kopernik | Finding What Works. https://beta.kopernik.info/en/news-events/news/gopay-and-kopernik-launch-the-digital-donation-outlook-2020
Chaerani, A. N., Utami, R. R., Aly, K., Alwi, M., & Y, A. (2024). Religious Participation of Millennial Muslim Women: A Sociological Study of the Influence of Interaction and Motivation to Use Social Media. Jurnal Indo-Islamika, 14(2), 283–297. https://doi.org/10.15408/jii.v14i2.42569
Christiani, L. C., & Ikasari, P. N. (2020). Generasi z dan pemeliharaan relasi antar generasi dalam perspektif budaya jawa. 2020, 4.
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018.). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. 2018.
Ferdana, A. D., Ridlwan, A. A., Canggih, C., & Fikriyah, K. (2022). Z Generation’s Intention to Use Zakāh Digital Payment: The Mediating Effect of Trust. Ziswaf: Jurnal Zakāh dan Wakaf, 9(2), 171. https://doi.org/10.21043/ziswaf.v9i2.18466
Fitri, L., & Falikhatun, F. (2021). Religiosity, Literacy, Income and Accessibility to Awareness in Professional Zakah Payment. International Journal of Zakāh, 6(1), 39–48. https://doi.org/10.37706/ijaz.v6i1.268
Fodouop Kouam, A. W. (2025). Toward Digital Transformation: Insights into Chinese Cross-Border E-Commerce SMEs During the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Post-Pandemic Era. Sage Open, 15(1), 21582440251318792. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251318792
Frankl, V. E. (1985). Man’s Search for Meaning. Simon and Schuster.
Hamdani, L., Sunarsih, S., Yusfiarto, R., Rizal, A., & Khoirunnisa, A. N. (2024). Social media, trust and intention to pay zakāh through institution: Lessons from Indonesian experience. Journal of Islamic Marketing, 15(9), 2399–2418. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIMA-01-2023-0016
Hikmah, N., Anwar, N., & Katman, M. N. (2024). Pengaruh Literasi Zakāh dan Religiusitas terhadap Kepatuhan Membayar Zakāh Pertanian: Studi Kasus Kec. Pitu Riawa Kab. Sidenreng Rappang. El-Mal: Jurnal Kajian Ekonomi & Bisnis Islam, 5(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.47467/elmal.v5i1.405
Hikmaningsih, H., & Pramuka, B. A. (2020). Akuntabilitas Pada Lembaga Amil Zakāh Infak Dan Sedekah Dalam Perspektif Shari’ah Enterprise Theory (SeT). Jurnal Ekonomi, Bisnis, dan Akuntansi, 22(3), 358–367. https://doi.org/10.32424/jeba.v22i3.1644
Hudaefi, F. A., & Beik, I. S. (2021). Digital zakāh campaign in time of Covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia: A netnographic study. Journal of Islamic Marketing, 12(3), 498–517. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIMA-09-2020-0299
Ibrahim, A. (2018). Islamic Work Ethics and Economic Development in Islamic Countries: Bridging Between Theory and Reality. International Conference of Moslem Society, 2, 43–50. https://doi.org/10.24090/icms.2018.1905
Insani, N., Rohaya, N., Mutiara, U., & Maguchu, P. (2024). Legal protection for personal data security and muzakkīfinancial transactions on digital zakāh platform. Jurnal Hukum Novelty, 15(1), 70. https://doi.org/10.26555/novelty.v15i1.a27200
Istikhomah, D., & Asrori, A. (2019). Pengaruh Literasi Terhadap Kepercayaan Muzaki Pada Lembaga Pengelola Zakāh Dengan Akuntabilitas Dan Transparansi Sebagai Variabel Intervening. Economic Education Analysis Journal, 8(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.15294/eeaj.v8i1.29763
Kollin, M., & Ibrahim, B. (t.t.). Analysis of the Role of Islamic Philanthropy in Urban Poverty Alleviation. Seriat Ekonomisi, Vol 01, no. 03 (2024): 71-79, 9. https://doi.org/10.35335/sd0ef186
Kuntjorowati, E., Andari, S., Prayoga, R. A., Yusuf, H., Soegiharto, S., Fatimah, S., Listyawati, A., Yuniarti, L., Suryani, & Hakim, F. N. (2024). Effectiveness of strengthening social protection and security programs in alleviating poverty in rural areas through multi-sector partnerships. Heliyon, 10(23), e40485. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40485
Latief, H. (2013). Islamic philanthropy and the private sector in Indonesia. Indonesian Journal of Islam and Muslim Societies, 3(2), 175. https://doi.org/10.18326/ijims.v3i2.175-201
Latifa, R., Nihayah, Z., Rokhim, M., Nurhasan, N., Murniasih, F., & Rismawati, R. (2024). Contributing Factors of Family Resilience in Moslem Population. Jurnal Indo-Islamika, 14(2), 432–443. https://doi.org/10.15408/jii.v14i2.42507
Listiyandini, R. A. (2016). Tangguh karena Bersyukur: Bersyukur sebagai Afek Moral yang Dapat Memprediksi Resiliensi Generasi Muda.
Luthar, S. S., & Cicchetti, D. (2000). The construct of resilience: Implications for interventions and social policies. Development and psychopathology, 12(4), 857–885. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0954579400004156
Makhrus, M., Utami, R. F., & Hardyanthi, T. (2024). Pengembangan Diri melalui Literasi Digital dalam Meningkatkan Kompetensi Penerima Beasiswa Organisasi Filantropi Islam. Jurnal Literasi Pengabdian Dan Pemberdayaan Masyarakat, 3(2), 97–105. https://doi.org/10.61813/jlppm.v3i2.130
Maulana, A., & Fanani, S. (2020). Efficiency of National Zakāh Institutions on Increasing Muzakkīfrom 2015-2016.
McEwen, K. (2022). Building Resilience at Work: A Practical Framework for Leaders. Journal of Leadership Studies, 16(2), 42–49. https://doi.org/10.1002/jls.21814
Mesman, E., Vreeker, A., & Hillegers, M. (2021). Resilience and mental health in children and adolescents: An update of the recent literature and future directions. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 34(6), 586–592. https://doi.org/10.1097/YCO.0000000000000741
Muflih, M. (2023). Muzakkī’s adoption of mobile service: Integrating the roles of technology acceptance model (TAM), perceived trust and religiosity. Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research, 14(1), 21–33. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIABR-09-2021-0273
Muhamad Abriyansyah & Ade Nur Rohim. (2023). Analysis of factors affecting interest in paying Zakāh, Infāq, Sadaqa (ZIS) through e-wallets. International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478), 12(3), 216–230. https://doi.org/10.20525/ijrbs.v12i3.2562
Mukaromah, S. A., & Anwar, A. Z. (2021). Tingkat Literasi Zakāh Kontemporer Pada Pesantren Salaf. Jasna: Journal for Aswaja Studies, 1(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.34001/jasna.v1i1.946
Muntazah, A., & Andhikasari, R. (2021). Peran Media Digital Dalam Strategi Komunikasi Pemasaran Lembaga Filantropi Islam Di Indonesia. … Ilmu Komunikasi Dan Media Sosial …, Query date: 2024-11-15 08:56:02. http://www.jurnal.minartis.com/index.php/jkomdis/article/view/53
Mutmainah, L., Berakon, I., & Yusfiarto, R. (2024). Does financial technology improve intention to pay zakāh during national economic recovery? A multi-group analysis. Journal of Islamic Marketing, 15(6), 1583–1607. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIMA-09-2022-0268
Muzayyana, M. & Asmuni. (2023). The Role of the National Board of Zakāh in Improving the Community’s Economy. Itqan: Journal of Islamic Economics, Management, and Finance, 2(2), 86–98. https://doi.org/10.57053/itqan.v2i2.26
Nugroho, A., Amir, H., Maududy, I., & Marlina, I. (2021). Poverty eradication programs in Indonesia: Progress, challenges and reforms. Journal of Policy Modeling, 43(6), 1204–1224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpolmod.2021.05.002
Purwatiningsih, A. P., Wibowo, M. E. S., & Aryani, A. T. D. (2024). Transformation of digital da’wah as an instrument for enhancing social welfare. Jurnal Ilmu Dakwah, 44(1), 149–162. https://doi.org/10.21580/jid.v44.1.22056
Raimi, L., Abdur-Rauf, I. A., & Ashafa, S. A. (2024). Does Islamic Sustainable Finance Support Sustainable Development Goals to Avert Financial Risk in the Management of Islamic Finance Products? A Critical Literature Review. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 17(6), 236. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm17060236
Smith, J. A., Larkin, M., & Flowers, P. (2008). Interpretative phenomenological analysis: Theory, method and research. SAGE.
Soemitra, A., & Nasution, J. (t.t.). The Influence of Zakāh Literacy, Trust, and Ease of Digital Payments on Generation Z and Y Intention in Paying Zakāh to Amil Zakāh Organizations.
Tempski, P., Santos, I. S., Mayer, F. B., Enns, S. C., Perotta, B., Paro, H. B. M. S., Gannam, S., Peleias, M., Garcia, V. L., Baldassin, S., Guimaraes, K. B., Silva, N. R., Da Cruz, E. M. T. N., Tofoli, L. F., Silveira, P. S. P., & Martins, M. A. (2015). Relationship among Medical Student Resilience, Educational Environment and Quality of Life. PLOS ONE, 10(6), e0131535. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0131535
Tetri & tetri. (2022, Desember 6). Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Peneliti Tidak Sekedar Mentranskripsikan Hasil Wawancara namun Mengeskplor Lebih Dalam. Fakultas Ekonomi dan Bisnis Universitas Sebelas Maret. https://feb.uns.ac.id/feb/interpretative-phenomenological-analysis-peneliti-tidak-sekedar-mentranskripsikan-hasil-wawancara-namun-mengeskplor-lebih-dalam/
Wahyudi, N. D. (2024). Pengaruh Gaya Hidup, Religiusitas, dan Literasi Keuangan Syariah Gen Z Terhadap Minat Menggunakan Digital Payment Untuk Menunaikan Ziswaf (Zakāh, Infak, Sedekah, Wakaf).
Zaari, A. R. R. Z. R., Hasibuan, E., Rifadilla, W., & Jasin, M. R. (2025). Siyāsah Sharʿiyyah and State Governance in Zakāh Management: A Case Analysis of Judicial Review on BAZNAS Authority vis-à-vis LAZ/BAZ Institutions. Jurnal Indo-Islamika, 15(1), 200–215. https://doi.org/10.15408/jii.v15i1.47047
