Charity Connectors and Da’wah Motivation: A Phenomenological Study of Generation Z Muslim Volunteers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64991/indo-jdms.v1i02.26Keywords:
Volunteers, Generation Z Muslims, Charity connectors, Da'wah motivation, Phenomenology studyAbstract
Purpose – This study explores the meaning of volunteerism for Generation Z Muslims who are active in social-religious organizations. The present study is noteworthy not only due to the dearth of extant research on the subject, but also in light of the observed decline in social cohesion, the rise of individualism, and the pernicious influence of the virtual world.
Design/methodology/approach – A phenomenological approach was used to discover the deepest meaning for Generation Z Muslims at Madrasah Relawan Bengkulu (MRB). The spiral method was used to conduct repeated interviews with eight informants who were registered as active volunteers at MRB. Non-participatory observation and documentation were used as supplementary methods. The transcription, coding and thematic analysis procedures were carried out meticulously. The systematic writing of the research results followed the thematic analysis, with the discussion exploring only two novel aspects.
Findings – This study found five themes in the meaning of volunteerism: social sensitivity (altruism), emotional satisfaction, organizational activism, charitable connectors, and da'wah motivation. Two unexpected findings that emerged were: 1) the role of volunteers as charity connectors, who link donors with beneficiary communities; and 2) the self-motivation to preach, which views volunteerism as part of practizing Islam.
Research implications – Social-religious organizations need to design volunteer program that can develop social involvement and spiritual commitment, in order to maintain the sustainability of volunteer participation.
Originality/value – The originality of this research lies in its emphasis on the dual role of Generation Z Muslim volunteers as agents of charity and Islamic preaching.
Paper type - Research paper
References
Barber, C., Mueller, C. T., & Ogata, S. (2013). Volunteerism as purpose: examining the long-term predictors of continued community engagement. Educational Psychology, 33(3), 314–333.
Batson, C. D. (2014). The Altruism Question: Toward a Social-Psychological Answer. Psychology Press.
Bhattarai, T. (2025). From Tradition to Transition: Living Values Across Generations. Deleted Journal, 4(1), 17–28.
Burt, R. S. (1992). Structural Holes: The Social Structure of Competition. Harvard University Press.
Creswell, J. W. & Creswell, D. (2017). Research Design Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches, Fifth Edition, SAGE Publications, Inc.
Eckstein, M. (2025). Can Volunteering Mitigate the Negative Relationship Between Job Dissatisfaction and Mental Health?–An Analysis of Longitudinal Survey Data in Germany.
Faleteha, A. F. & Zuhri, S. (2024). Faktor-Faktor yang Membahagiakan Relawan Muslim di Organisasi Nirlaba Berbasis Islam. Journal of Islamic Management, 4(2), 113-131.
Indorelawan. 2023. Indorelawan Chapter: Volunteer Gathering Jakarta. Retrieved April 15, 2025, from https://www.indorelawan.org/activity/5Udg/indorelawan-chapter-volunteer-gathering
Mardiyah, S. A., Sumardjoko, B., & Subowo, A. (2025). The influence of self-awareness as a social beings and mutual respect on strengthening the character of mutual cooperation character of students. Jurnal Pendidikan PKn, 6(1), 40–55.
Meulenbeek, K., Loheide‐Niesmann, L., Spagnuolo, F., & Cima, M. J. (2025). Positive Youth Development and Prosocial Behavior: A Systematic Review and Multilevel Meta‐Analysis. Journal of Adolescence.
Miles, M. B., Huberman, M. & Saldana, J. Qualitative Data Analisis: A Method Sourceboook. Thousand Oaks.
Mujianto, D. C. A. (2022). Pengaruh Organisasi Kemahasiswaan dan Pengembangan Minat Bakat Terhadap Keaktifan Mahasiswa pada Unit Kegiatan Mahasiswa (UKM) Di Universitas PGRI Adi Buana Surabaya (Doctoral dissertation, Universitas PGRI Adi Buana Surabaya).
Nabila, H. (2025). Hubungan Kekuatan Karakter (Character Strengh) dengan Life Satisfaction pada relawan sosial kemanusiaan (Doctoral dissertation, Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Syarif Kasim Riau).
Putra, Muhammad Eka et all. (2022). Altruisme Relawan Palang Merah Indonesia Kabupaten Kudus dalam Penanggulangan Bencana. Jurnal Psikologi Perseptual, 7(2), 133-145.
Rebori, M. K. (2019). Millennials: Shifting Values and Influences for Civic Engagement. Journal of Human Sciences and Extension, 7(3), 12.
Saputra, I., Muchtarom, M., & Triyanto, T. (2020). Social Engagement as an Initial Capital for the Development of Civic Engagement Students in Boarding Schools. Budapest International Research and Critics in Linguistics and Education (BirLE) Journal, 3(2), 820-827.
Savitri, A. D. & Purwaningtyastuti. (2020). Perilaku Altruisme pada Relawan Konselor Remaja. Personifikasi: Jurnal Ilmu Psikologi, 11(1), 100-108.
Shandy, M. A. G., Soesanto, E., & Faizal, A. (2025). Menghidupkan Kembali Semangat Gotong Royong di Era Modern Agar Mengembalikan Nilai-Nilai Kebersamaan untuk Menyatukan Masyarakat Indonesia. Garuda, 3(1), 78–89.
Syarifuddin, Mubarak, & Imadduddin, (2021). Altruisme Relawan pada Rumah Singgah Al-Ajyb. Jurnal Al-Husna, 2(2), 164-176.
Thoits, P. A., & Hewitt, L. N. (2001). Volunteer Work and Well-Being. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 42(2), 115–131.
Van Manen, M. (2016). Researching lived experience: Human science for an action sensitive pedagogy. Routledge.
Węziak-Białowolska, D., Skiba, R., & Białowolski, P. (2024). Longitudinal reciprocal associations between volunteering, health and well-being: evidence for middle-aged and older adults in Europe. European Journal of Public Health.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Jasita Apriyani, Muhammad Syaoki
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
