The Future of Islamic Philanthropy Hinges on Trust, Not Technology
BUKITTINGGI — Digital transformation has reshaped nearly every aspect of modern life, including the governance of Islamic philanthropy. Yet technological progress must not come at the expense of the core principles that define Islamic charitable giving: trust (amanah), Sharia compliance, social justice and respect for the dignity of beneficiaries.
That was the central message delivered by Prof. Sukree Langputeh, Rector of the Ibn Auf Institute of Technology (IIT), Thailand, during the International Conference on Islamic Studies, Islamic Philanthropy in the Digital Era: Challenges & Opportunities, organized by the Graduate School of Sjech M. Djamil Djambek State Islamic University (UIN), Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, Indonesia, on Friday, (10/7/2026).
Prof. Sukree said the enduring strength of Islamic philanthropy has long been rooted in religious obligation, social solidarity, community legitimacy and a deeply embedded culture of charitable giving. Today, digital technology has accelerated these practices through digital payments, e-wallets, crowdfunding platforms, online reporting systems, automated transaction records and data-driven management, making fundraising and fund administration more efficient.
However, he argued that the more important question is not how digital platforms can generate more donations, but whether philanthropic institutions can embrace technological innovation without compromising Sharia integrity, safeguarding the dignity of beneficiaries and maintaining public trust.
According to Prof. Sukree, digital transformation now extends across the entire philanthropic value chain—from donors' intentions and digital payment systems to Sharia classification, beneficiary verification, aid distribution and impact reporting. Technology can reduce transaction barriers, improve service delivery, expand donor participation and provide greater transparency through verifiable records of how charitable funds are utilized.
Nevertheless, he cautioned that greater efficiency must be matched by stronger governance. Philanthropic organizations, he said, should establish clear operational cost policies, ensure independent and accountable auditing, protect personal data and maintain credible complaint-handling mechanisms. Ultimately, the success of digital Islamic philanthropy should be measured by its tangible contribution to improving people's welfare rather than by the volume of funds collected.
Prof. Sukree also described the four principal instruments of Islamic philanthropy as an integrated ecosystem. Zakat, he explained, serves as a social protection mechanism to address poverty directly. Sadaqah strengthens community resilience through flexible voluntary giving, waqf provides a foundation for long-term development through productive asset management, while qard hasan supports economic empowerment through interest-free financing. Together, these instruments create a continuum from immediate relief to sustainable development.
He noted that digitalization has made charitable giving more accessible through mobile banking, QRIS, digital wallets and automatic payroll deductions. It also enables greater transparency through real-time campaign updates, electronic receipts, detailed financial reporting and digital monitoring of aid distribution. These tools, he added, are particularly effective in engaging younger generations who are increasingly accustomed to digital platforms and social media.
Still, Prof. Sukree stressed that expanding digital donations must go hand in hand with stronger public education on charitable intentions (niyyah), beneficiary eligibility, operational costs and the timely distribution of funds. Only then can digitalization foster an Islamic social finance ecosystem that is transparent, inclusive, accountable and driven by measurable social impact.
To advance that goal, he proposed establishing interdisciplinary laboratories that bring together scholars in Sharia, information technology, economics, social work and public policy to develop innovative philanthropic models. He also called for governance standards for digital fundraising platforms, stronger digital literacy training for amil (zakat administrators), waqf managers and volunteers, enhanced beneficiary protection, publicly accessible dashboards tracking fundraising and impact, and closer collaboration among universities and Islamic organizations across ASEAN.
He concluded that the future of Islamic philanthropy will depend not on increasingly sophisticated technology alone, but on whether innovation remains anchored in amanah, Sharia integrity, social justice and a commitment to improving public welfare. Technology, he said, should reinforce public trust—not replace the values upon which Islamic philanthropy has always stood. (Irwandi Nashir).
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