Iqtishoduna: Jurnal Ekonomi Islam
Vol. 15 No. 1 (2026): April (on progress)

Waqf-Based Human Capital and Institutional Sustainability: An Ethnographic Study of Waqf Basyari in Indonesian Pesantren

Eko Nur Cahyo (Universitas Darussalam Gontor)
Usmanul Khakim (Universitas Darussalam Gontor)
Muhammad Faqih Nidzom (Universitas Darussalam Gontor)
Khurun’in Zahro’ (Universitas Darussalam Gontor)
Nurita Binti Juhdi (International Islamic University Malaysia)



Article Info

Publish Date
23 Apr 2026

Abstract

Despite extensive studies on voluntarism in Islam and fiqh-based analyses of waqf, self-devotion (waqf basyari) has never been examined as waqf-based human capital nor linked to institutional sustainability within Islamic economics. This study fills this gap by examining waqf basyari and institutional sustainability at Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor (PMDG), a century-old Indonesian pesantren. Framed within Islamic economics and waqf-based institutional economics, this ethnographic study employs participant observation, interviews, and document analysis. The findings reveal three results. First, the waqf basyari tradition at PMDG has developed over nearly 100 years from the founders' devotion movement. Second, devoted cadres (kader wakaf) realize institutional sustainability across five Panca Jangka dimensions: education, cadre formation, infrastructure, khizanatullah (asset expansion), and family welfare. Third, these cadres possess six attributes—readiness, time commitment, duty acceptance, evaluation openness, prioritizing the pesantren, and institutional defense—that operationalize waqf-based human capital. This study contributes theoretically to Islamic economics by introducing waqf-based human capital as a new analytical category and demonstrating its causal link to institutional sustainability. The findings offer a replicable model for Islamic educational institutions seeking sustainability beyond lineage-based succession.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

iqtishoduna

Publisher

Subject

Economics, Econometrics & Finance

Description

The focus of the Journal of Syari'ah Economics and Islamic Business all aspects of scientific discussions about Islamic Economics, Syari'ah Banking and Islamic Economic Management ideas covering: 1) research article, 2) conceptual idea, 3) review of the literature, and 4) practical ...