The Bayt al-Mal Institution: Religious Foundations of Social Justice and Public Responsibility in Islam

Abstract

This article examines the historical development and theoretical foundations of the Bayt al-Mal institution, one of the most important mechanisms for ensuring social justice and public responsibility in Islamic civilization. Within the Islamic administrative tradition, Bayt al-Mal functioned not merely as a financial institution responsible for collecting and distributing public revenues, but also as a comprehensive mechanism aimed at maintaining social balance, supporting vulnerable groups, and promoting public welfare. In this regard, Bayt al-Mal served as a practical instrument for implementing the socio-economic principles of Islam. The study further explores the relationship between Bayt al-Mal and the Islamic conception of social justice, as well as its connection with the principles of Maqasid al-Shari`ah. Particular attention is given to its role in the protection of social responsibility. Employing historical, comparative, and hermeneutical methods, the study analyzes the practices of the Prophet Muhammad and the Rightly Guided Caliphs alongside contemporary scholarly discussions on Islamic social finance. The findings indicate that Bayt al-Mal represented a model of governance founded upon the integration of religious-ethical values and socio-economic responsibilities. Through the administration of zakat, sadaqah, and other public funds, it contributed to the protection of disadvantaged groups, the mitigation of social disparities, and the strengthening of social solidarity. Moreover, the fundamental principles of Bayt al-Mal continue to offer valuable insights for addressing contemporary challenges such as social inequality, poverty, marginalization, and ethical governance in Muslim societies. Therefore, Bayt al-Mal may be regarded as a distinctive institutional model through which social justice and public responsibility were realized within the framework of Islamic civilization.

Keywords: Bayt al-Mal, social justice, social responsibility, maqasid ash-shari`ah, Islamic social financing