Ṣadaqah (Charity)‎ attitudes of Muslims during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown : an interpretative phenomenology

Abstract EN

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered global disruption, with many casualties recorded across different socio-economic groups.

The surge seems to have affected vulnerable people more with the closure of most businesses and socio-economic activities.

Despite significant government efforts to maintain lockdown order, vulnerable people from the B-40 community appear to have found it challenging to comply because of their inability to cater to their basic needs.

The majority of the B-40 community with livelihood activities that require regular physical presence have difficulties accessing work and stores.

Despite the government and non-governmental intervention packages for the vulnerable people, certain individuals have also volunteered in charity donations and distribution of basic socio-economic needs and health relief packages during the lockdown, but little is known about the Ṣadaqah attitude of Malaysians during the lockdown.

This study explores the Ṣadaqah (charity) attitudes of Muslims during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown to cater to the basic needs of the vulnerable members of society.

This study employs the interpretative phenomenology approach of the qualitative method to analyze the semi-structured interview data.

This study found that despite the anecdotal evidence suggesting that many people may be discouraged from giving Ṣadaqah due to socio-economic challenges during the COVID-19 lockdown, religiosity and psychological motivations have propelled many Ṣadaqah givers towards alleviating the socio-economic challenges of the vulnerable people.

The analysis shows that the challenges of limited income and restricted socio-economic activities do not prevent some Malaysians from donating Ṣadaqah during the pandemic lockdown.

The study recommends overarching government policy for an effective and transparent standard operation of the Ṣadaqah activities during emergencies.