<![CDATA[This research aims to analyze the sharia-based MSME empowerment strategy in Serdang Bedagai Regency and to develop an integrated empowerment model. It employs a qualitative approach with in-depth interviews of 7 key informants and observations across 17 districts. The most critical gap is that 77% of the 135,922 MSMEs lack access to formal financing due to the absence of community guarantee mechanisms and low literacy regarding profit-sharing contracts. The results show that the internalization of akhlakul karimah (noble character) values functions as a mediating variable, resulting in an 8% increase in profit margins through trust-based competitive advantage, as well as solidarity-based business resilience through the practice of qardhul hasan (benevolent loans). The novelty of the research lies in the Integrated Empowerment Strategy Model (IESM), which positions akhlakul karimah as a mediating variable rather than merely an additional ethical component, and complements multi-stakeholder collaboration with a collaborative governance mechanism comprising binding coordination forums, a shared database, and joint evaluation standards. Theoretically, the IESM extends empowerment theory by incorporating measurable spiritual outcome dimensions. Practically, it is recommended to establish a Sharia Economic Empowerment Coordination Forum, simplify sharia micro-financing through linkage programs with village cooperatives, and standardize training modules integrated with akhlakul karimah values.]]>
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