Non-Fungible Token-Based Waqf as an Innovative Financing Mechanism for Education in Marginalized Communities

Main Article Content

Ade Fajar Ramdhani
Deni Maulana

Abstract

This study explores the potential of Non-Fungible Token (NFT)-based waqf as an innovative model for financing education in marginalized communities. The emergence of blockchain technology enables digital assets to be uniquely identified, transparently managed, and sustainably utilized, creating new opportunities for productive waqf management. NFT waqf is positioned not only as a form of digital philanthropy but also as an instrument of Islamic social finance that strengthens equity and inclusiveness in educational access. The research applies a literature-based, descriptive-analytical method by reviewing classical waqf jurisprudence, blockchain applications, and current practices of digital waqf. Findings suggest that NFT waqf has strong potential to generate continuous financial resources through sales, auctions, and royalty mechanisms. These resources can be distributed to cover scholarships, improve learning facilities, and expand digital infrastructure in underprivileged communities. Despite its promise, several challenges remain, particularly related to regulatory frameworks, the digital literacy gap, and the need for clearer legal and sharia compliance of digital assets. To address these issues, the study recommends active collaboration among regulators, waqf managers, technology developers, and educational institutions. Such cooperation is essential to ensure the sustainability, legitimacy, and social impact of NFT waqf as a practical solution for inclusive and equitable education.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Article Details

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Ramdhani , A. F., & Maulana, D. (2026). Non-Fungible Token-Based Waqf as an Innovative Financing Mechanism for Education in Marginalized Communities. Iqtisad: Journal of Islamic Economic and Civilization, 2(2), 329-348. https://iqtisad.crjis.com/index.php/irjiec/article/view/30

References

GoodStats Data. (2024). Simak angka putus sekolah 2023/2024. https://data.goodstats.id/statistic/simak-angka-putus-sekolah-20232024-rAG4M

Ascarya, A. (2021). The role of Islamic social finance during Covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia’s economic recovery. International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMEFM-07-2020-0351

Badan Pusat Statistik (BPS). (2023). Statistik pendidikan 2023. Jakarta: BPS. https://www.bps.go.id/en/publication/2023/11/24/54557f7c1bd32f187f3cdab5/statistik-pendidikan-2023.html

Hudaefi, F. A. (2020). How does Islamic fintech promote the SDGs? Qualitative evidence from Indonesia. Qualitative Research in Financial Markets, 12(4), 353–366. https://doi.org/10.1108/QRFM-05-2019-0058

A. F. Ramdhani, Mulyana, R., & Afendi, F. M. (2022). Analysis of factors influencing the cash waqf receiving through fintech wakf (crowdfunding waqf model). IRTIQO’: Postgraduate Journal of Islamic Economics, Finance and Accounting Studies, 1(1).

Kahf, M. (2003). The role of waqf in improving the Ummah welfare. Paper presented at the International Seminar on Waqf as a Private Legal Body, Islamic University of North Sumatra, Medan, Indonesia, 6–7 January, pp. 1–26.

Muneeza, A. (2019). Application of blockchain for zakat and waqf institutions. ISRA International Journal of Islamic Finance, 11(2), 221–236.

Taherdoost, H. (2023). Non-fungible tokens (NFT): A systematic review. Information, 14(1), 26. https://doi.org/10.3390/info14010026

UNICEF, UNESCO, & World Bank. (2022). The state of global learning poverty: 2022 update. Washington, DC: World Bank.

Dowling, M. (2022). Is non-fungible token pricing driven by cryptocurrencies? Finance Research Letters, 44, 102097. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.frl.2021.102097

Mursal, M., Lastina, I., Fitri, R., Yanti, N., & Wandi, J. I. (2024). The role of waqf in realizing social welfare: A perspective from Islamic economic interpretation. El-Kahfi: Journal of Islamic Economics, 5(1), 103–111. https://doi.org/10.58958/elkahfi.v5i01.234

Jahar, A. S., Arif, M. Z., & Bahriyah, A. Z. (2023). Cash waqf in theory and practice. CV Budi Utama.

Abd. Jalil, M. I. (2020). Issues and challenges of waqf practice in Malaysia: A review. Labuan e-Journal of Muamalat and Society, 14, 80–86. https://doi.org/10.51200/ljms.v14i.2868

Azizan, N. A., Muhamat, A. A., Syed Alwi, S. F., Ali, H., & Abdullah, A. Q. C. (2022). Revitalizing waqf (endowment) lands for agribusiness: Potentials of the anchor company models. Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies, 12(3), 345–370. https://doi.org/10.1108/JADEE-05-2021-0128

Nofianti, L., Mukhlisin, M., & Irfan, A. (2024). Cash waqf innovation in Islamic financial institutions and its governance issues: Case studies of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Turkey. Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIABR-12-2023-0420

Tuasikal, M. A. (2024). Digital assets for productive waqf. Journal of Ocean Economics and Business, 15(3), 583–594. https://doi.org/10.33059/jseb.v15i3.10852

Arif, M. L. F., Tanjung, H. H., & Ayuniyyah, H. Q. (2023). Digital asset waqf: Non-fungible token (NFT). Al-Kharaj: Journal of Islamic Economics, Finance & Business, 5(4), 1766–1787. https://doi.org/10.47467/alkharaj.v5i4.1981

Isfandiar, A. A. (2008). Review of Islamic jurisprudence and national law on waqf in Indonesia. La_Riba, 2(1), 51–73. https://doi.org/10.20885/lariba.vol2.iss1.art5

Solihah, C., & Abdulghani, T. (2022). Certifying land waqf: A conceptual and technological systems approach (1st ed.). Zahir Publishing.

Aziz, A., et al. (2024). Economics of zakat and waqf. Adab Publishers.

Rustariyuni, S. D., Larasatie, R., & Pramusinta, E. D. (2023). Microfinance institutions as pillars of the national economy. Library Trail.

Auna, N. S., Ulhusna, N., Azizah, N., Dinanti, S. P., & Adriansyah, Z. (2024). The role of digital waqf in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). OIKONOMIKA: Journal of Islamic Economics and Finance Studies, 5(1), 52–63. https://doi.org/10.53491/oikonomika.v5i1.1128

Kadir, S., RAH, A. R., & Yusuf, N. I. A. (2023). Getting to know non-fungible tokens (NFT) and decentralized finance (DeFi) in the era of Society 5.0. International Journal of Islamic Finance, 1(2), 149–162. https://doi.org/10.14421/ijif.v1i2.2020

Mayana, R. F., & Pratama, M. A. (2022). Intellectual property development & commercialization of non-fungible tokens (NFT): Opportunities, challenges, and legal problems in practice. ACTA DIURNAL: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum Kenotariatan, 5(2), 202–220. https://doi.org/10.23920/acta.v5i2.812

Setiawan, A., & Nurjaman, M. S. (2022). Application of blockchain and smart contracts on waqf asset management: Is it necessary? El Dinar: Journal of Islamic Finance and Banking, 10(2).

Saroh, S., Achmad, L. I., Ainulyaqin, M. H., & Edy, S. (2023). Analysis of digital non-fungible token (NFT) transactions as an investment instrument and virtual asset trading from an Islamic economic perspective. Scientific Journal of Islamic Economics, 9(1), 378–386. https://doi.org/10.29040/jiei.v9i1.7948

Robbani, S., Ningrum, I. K., & Giri, U. S. (2022). Non-fungible tokens as digital assets from the perspective of muamalah fiqh. At-Tuhfah, 11(2), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.32665/attuhfah.v11i2.1423

Fauzi, R., Astarudin, T., & Khaeruman, B. (2023). Optimization of digital-based waqf and its role in economic development in Indonesia. Jurnal Sosioteknologi, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.5614/sostek.itbj.2023.22.1.10

Zawawi, Y., Yasin, M. I., Helmy, A., Ma'yuf, A., & Arwani, A. (2023). Waqf and sustainable development law: Models of waqf institutions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Indonesia. Ijtihad: Journal of Islamic and Humanitarian Law Discourse, 23(1), 93–114. https://doi.org/10.18326/ijtihad.v23i1.93-114

Destyana, M. E., & Setyowati, R. (2022). Waqf contribution in the development of the halal value chain ecosystem: A legal perspective in Indonesia. Eduvest: Journal of Universal Studies, 2(10), 2167–2178. https://doi.org/10.59188/eduvest.v2i10.629

Sulistianingsih, D., & Kinanti, A. K. (2022). Copyright of non-fungible token (NFT) works from the perspective of intellectual property law. KRTHA BHAYANGKARA, 16(1), 197–206. https://doi.org/10.31599/krtha.v16i1.1077

Felicia, F., Elvilie, E., Calista, C., Chic, S. A., Bilqisthi, M. F., & Joosten, J. (2024). Challenges and opportunities of blockchain in the digital era in the field of data security and digital transactions. Journal of Comprehensive Science (JCS), 3(11), 5131. https://doi.org/10.59188/jcs.v3i11.2887

Hartinah, A. (2023). A review of Islamic economic law on the sales mechanism for NFT (non-fungible token)-based digital works/creations on the OpenSea platform.

Similar Articles

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