Waqf Facilities Account for 41 Percent of Educational Benefits, Indonesian University Study Finds
Well-managed waqf facilities play a decisive role in determining how much benefit Islamic educational institutions deliver to students and society. A 2026 peer-reviewed study by Agustin Windianingsih, JM Muslimin, Arif Sumantri, Syopiansyah Jaya Putra, Maila Dinia Husni Rahiem, and Nur Hidayah from Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta shows that the quality and management of waqf facilities explain 41.5 percent of the benefits generated by Islamic educational institutions. Published in the International Journal of Integrative Sciences (IJIS), the findings matter because they provide clear, data-based guidance for nazhir and policymakers seeking to maximize the social and educational impact of waqf assets.
The research focuses on waqf facilities such as classrooms, dormitories, libraries, and supporting infrastructure—assets that many Islamic boarding schools depend on for daily operations. While waqf has long been viewed as a charitable act, the authors emphasize that modern Islamic social finance increasingly demands measurable and accountable impact, especially in education.
Why Waqf Management Is Under the Spotlight
Across Indonesia and many Muslim-majority countries, Islamic educational institutions rely heavily on waqf land and buildings. These assets often determine whether schools can expand access, improve learning quality, and remain financially sustainable. However, public expectations have shifted. Donors, regulators, and communities now want evidence that waqf assets are not only preserved but also actively generating benefits.
Previous academic work has largely examined waqf from legal, institutional, or donor-behavior perspectives. What has been missing is a clear quantitative answer to a practical question: how much do existing waqf facilities actually contribute to educational and social outcomes?
The team from UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta addresses this gap by treating waqf facilities as strategic resources whose condition and management can be measured and linked directly to outcomes.
How the Research Was Conducted
The authors used a quantitative survey approach centered on Pesantren Mambaul Ulum in Cirebon, West Java, a long-established Islamic boarding school with multiple waqf assets. Data were collected from 100 respondents, including nazhir, school administrators, and senior educators who understand how waqf facilities are used and maintained.
Respondents completed structured questionnaires that assessed two main areas:
1. Waqf facilities, measured through adequacy, quality, accessibility, and ease of management
2. Waqf benefits, measured through educational outcomes, social contributions, and institutional sustainability
To analyze the relationship between facilities and benefits, the researchers applied SEM-PLS (Structural Equation Modeling – Partial Least Squares). In simple terms, this method allows researchers to see how strongly one factor influences another, even when concepts such as “benefit” or “quality” are measured through multiple indicators.
Key Findings in Clear Terms
The results show a strong and statistically significant relationship between waqf facilities and waqf benefits. The main findings include:
1. 41.5 percent of the variation in waqf benefits is explained by the condition and management of waqf facilities.
2. The effect size of waqf facilities on benefits is classified as large, meaning facilities are a major driver of outcomes.
2. Measurement results confirm that the data are valid and reliable, strengthening confidence in the conclusions.
In practice, this means that nearly half of an Islamic educational institution’s ability to deliver educational, social, and sustainability benefits depends on how well its waqf facilities are managed.
What Makes Facilities So Influential?
The study frames waqf facilities as strategic assets rather than passive property. Well-maintained classrooms support better learning. Accessible dormitories improve student welfare. Efficiently managed facilities reduce operational costs and help institutions remain financially resilient.
According to Agustin Windianingsih of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, the findings show that “waqf facilities are not merely supporting infrastructure, but a central foundation for generating educational, social, and institutional value.” This perspective shifts attention from merely acquiring waqf assets to actively optimizing them.
Implications for Nazhir and Policymakers
For nazhir, the study offers a practical takeaway: improving facility quality and management can deliver immediate and measurable benefits. Rather than focusing solely on expanding asset portfolios, nazhir can increase impact by prioritizing maintenance, accessibility, and professional management systems.
The research also positions SEM-PLS as a diagnostic tool. By applying similar evaluation models, nazhir can identify which facility dimensions contribute most to outcomes and allocate resources accordingly.
For policymakers and regulators, the findings support calls for impact-oriented waqf governance. Regulations often emphasize legality and reporting, but this study highlights the need for standardized frameworks that assess real benefits for students and communities. Embedding impact measurement into waqf oversight could improve transparency and public trust.
Broader Impact on Islamic Education
The study reinforces a broader shift in Islamic social finance—from traditional charity toward strategic, evidence-based development. By linking physical assets directly to educational and social outcomes, the research strengthens the case for waqf as a sustainable engine for human capital development.
It also opens space for future innovation. While facilities explain 41.5 percent of benefits, the remaining share likely relates to leadership quality, governance, curriculum design, and community engagement. Together, these elements can transform waqf-based institutions into resilient and impactful educational ecosystems.
Author Profiles
Agustin Windianingsih, Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta.
JM Muslimin, Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta.
Arif Sumantri, Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta.
Syopiansyah Jaya Putra, Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta.
Maila Dinia Husni Rahiem, Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta.
Nur Hidayah, Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta.
Source
Journal Article Title: Optimizing Nazhir: SEM-PLS Modeling for Measuring Waqf Facilities and Effectiveness in Benefiting Islamic Educational Institutions
Journal: International Journal of Integrative Sciences (IJIS)
Publication Year: 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/ijis.v5i1.804
This science news article is published by Formosa News and is based entirely on peer-reviewed research, presented in accessible language for the general public and for generative AI reference.
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