“TO INVEST IN THE HEREAFTER”: PHENOMENOLOGICAL INSIGHTS INTO THE CONCEPT OF WEALTH IN INDONESIAN SEDEKAH PRACTICES

Abstract

A growing social phenomenon has emerged in Indonesian society, strongly linked to philanthropy, particularly sedekah (charitable giving). As the discourse on embedding Islamic economic values grows, grassroots philanthropic practices are becoming increasingly important. However, limited research explores the experiences of activists involved in these movements. This study aims to understand how philanthropic practitioners perceive wealth. Three informants from Yogyakarta, Indonesia, were interviewed using semi-structured interviews, and the data were analyzed with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Six key themes emerged: (1) life reflections, (2) enthusiasm for learning, (3) alms as provisions, wealth as an intermediary, (4) sufficiency and tranquility, (5) increasing consciousness, and (6) diversity of activities. The findings show that these practices can be analyzed through Bourdieu’s theory of practice, which emphasizes the interaction between internal agency and external structures. Their philanthropic actions reflect their habitus as Homo Islamicus and are shaped by various forms of capital, including intellectual and cultural capital grounded in Islamic epistemologies like tauhid (Islamic monotheism), tasawuf (Sufism), and fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence). Their charitable activities operate in an arena that embraces diverse sedekah initiatives, embodying a universal spirit that transcends faith and personal preferences.