Analysis of the Welfare of MSME Traders in the Mandalika Special Economic Zone Pujut District, from the Perspective of Islamic Economics

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the welfare of MSME traders in the Mandalika Special Economic Zone (KEK Mandalika), Pujut District, from the perspective of Islamic economics using the maqashid sharia approach. This research employs a qualitative approach with a descriptive method. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, field observations, and documentation, and were analyzed through data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing techniques. The findings show that MSME traders operate diverse types of businesses with relatively simple management systems, and their marketing activities are still predominantly based on direct sales. The existence of the tourism area provides added value for MSME traders, although its potential has not yet been fully optimized. In addition, MSME development is supported by ITDC through coaching, training, access to capital, and market expansion, although these efforts have not been evenly distributed. Traders’ income is generally fluctuating but remains above the poverty line. Through the maqashid sharia approach, in the aspect of preservation of religion (hifz al-din), traders perform obligatory worship such as prayer, fasting, and zakat, supported by available worship facilities and the surrounding environment. However, prayers are not always performed on time, not all traders are actively involved in religious activities, and acts of worship such as Hajj, Umrah, and Qurban have not yet been performed. In the aspect of preservation of life (hifz al-nafs), traders strive to fulfill household needs, but attention to diet, health, and environmental cleanliness remains limited. In terms of preservation of intellect (hifz al-‘aql), children’s education is prioritized, although self-development remains limited. Regarding the preservation of lineage (hifz al-nasl), children’s needs and education have been fulfilled, but supervision and guidance still need improvement. In the aspect of preservation of wealth (hifz al-mal), traders have made efforts to act honestly, give charity, and save money; however, the use of conventional banking, limited understanding of riba, and practices such as price differentiation and persuasive selling methods that tend to be coercive are still found. Overall, MSME traders in KEK Mandalika are economically able to meet their basic needs; however, from the perspective of Islamic economics through the maqashid sharia approach, their welfare has not yet been fully achieved due to several suboptimal aspects