Mosque as a Place to Improve Human Development Index

Agus Kurnia

, Nurul Fitriyani

and Robith Hudaya

Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Mataram

Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Mataram

Keywords: Mixed Method, Mosque, Roles and Functions of Mosque, Sampling, Statistics.

Abstract: This research was conducted with the aim to find out whether the mosque can be used as a place to increase

the Human Development Index (HDI), also to find out whether the mosques have optimized their roles and

functions regarding the indicators that can improve HDI. A literature study was conducted to find out whether

mosques can be used as a place to increase the HDI in Mataram City. Researchers used primary data derived

through interviews and questionnaires, in order to find out whether the mosques in Mataram City have

optimized their roles and functions. A survey has been conducted by using sub-districts level of Cluster

Random Sampling in Mataram City. The research results showed that mosque is one of the best places that

can be used as a place to improve HDI based on its roles and functions. Most mosques in Mataram City has

carried out educational and economic empowerment activities, but not all have carried out healthcare

activities. The economic empowerment activities that have been carried out are limited to consumptive matter

that not entered the stage of community economic empowerment.

1 INTRODUCTION

The Human Development Index (HDI) is defined as

the process of enlarging people choice. HDI formed

by 3 basic formations: a long and healthy life,

knowledge, and a decent standard of living. HDI is a

comparison measurement of life expectancy, literacy,

education, and living standards for all countries

throughout the world. It is used to classify whether a

country is a developed country, a developing country,

or a backward country; also, to measure the influence

of economic policy on quality of life (Jahan,

Jespersen et al. 2016).

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, the

HDI is an important indicator to measure success in

efforts to build the quality of human life (Central

Bureau of Statistics, 2018). The HDI can also

determine the level of development of a region or a

country. And for Indonesia, the HDI is a strategic

data, because in addition to be a measure of

Government performance, the HDI is also used as one

of the allocators for determining the General

Allocation Fund.

HDI measures the average achievement of a

country in 3 basic dimensions of human development:

a long and healthy life, measured by life expectancy

at birth; knowledge, measured by reading and writing

rates for adults (two-third weight), and a combination

of primary, secondary, and gross enrollment ratios

(one-third weight); and a decent standard of living,

measured by the natural logarithm of gross domestic

product per capita in Purchasing Power Parity (PPP).

The calculation results of HDI with new methods

for the period 2010-2014 show that five provinces in

the country, with a relatively high rate of HDI

increase, are East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa

Tenggara, Central Sulawesi, West Kalimantan, and

Jambi. That means, even though having an HDI score

that is not too high, relatively low, such as NTT and

NTB, the five provinces are able to boost the

improvement of regional human development

achievements optimally in the last five years

(Suhariyanto 2015).

Lombok – West Nusa Tenggara is an island

known as Pulau Seribu Masjid (Island of One

Thousand Mosques). This term arises because there

are many mosques established on the island of

Lombok, compared with other islands in Indonesia.

Mosque has various functions and major roles for the

Muslims, one of which is to develop human

resources. One indicator of the success of human

resource development is the increased number of

HDI. In 2014, the HDI score of West Nusa Tenggara

Province ranks 33th out of the 34 provinces, then

Kurnia, A., Fitriyani, N. and Hudaya, R.

Mosque as a Place to Improve Human Development Index.

DOI: 10.5220/0008519001750179

In Proceedings of the International Conference on Mathematics and Islam (ICMIs 2018), pages 175-179

ISBN: 978-989-758-407-7

175

increased to 29th out of the 34 provinces in 2018

(Susanto 2018).

In West Nusa Tenggara, about 4229 mosques

registered in mosque information system, Ministry of

Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia

(Ministry of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia

n.d.). Based on The Central Bureau of Statistics, the

citizen in West Nusa Tenggara are about 96.77 %

Moslems, 0.26 % Christians, 0.19 % Catholics , and

2.45 % Hindus (Central Bureau of Statistics, 2018).

So, the mosque has the potential to be used as a place

to increase HDI, because the majority of the

population is Muslim.

Mosques in the time of the Prophet (Peace be

Upon Him) had roles and functions that could

improve the Human Development Index, such as the

existence of Islamic Education Center as a place to

serve health problems, as well as baytul mal (place of

economic management of the ummah, Muslims

community). If the roles and functions of the mosque

in NTB are played as it should, then it is certain that

the presence of thousands of mosques can help the

improvement of the community's HDI. It certainly

affects the more prosperous society, as well as a

baldatun thoyibatun wa robbun ghofur place (good

country and full of forgiveness from God).

Roles and Functions of The Mosque at the Time of

Prophet Muhammad

At the time of the Messenger of Allah (Prophet, Peace

be Upon Him), the mosque did not only function as a

place of worship (mahdhah), such as prayer and

remembrance. But the mosque is also a place of

education; a place for providing social benefits; a

place for military training, war preparation, and a

place to treat the victims of war (healthcare); a place

to reconcile and resolve disputes; and as a center of

information.

Maintaining the mosque is one of the

characteristics of people who believe in Allah and the

Last Day. And one way to prosper the mosque is by

optimizing the role and function of the mosque. As

explained by Allah in the Surah At-Taubah [9:18]

(surah, division of the Qur’an), which means:

“The mosques of Allah are only to be

maintained by those who believe in Allah and

the Last Day and establish prayer and give

Zakah and do not fear except Allah, for it is

expected that those will be of the [rightly]

guided.”

Mosques have a role and function to develop

human resources, including the dimensions that build

up the HDI (i.e. mosque as a place to serve health

problems for a long and healthy life dimension;

mosque as the center of Islamic education for the

knowledge dimension, and mosque as a place of

baytul mal (a place for managing the people's

economy) for a decent standard of living dimension).

The large function of the mosque is also explained

in an article in the Grand Mosque of Sleman, i.e.

explained that the mosque used as a center of Islamic

culture (Kusumawardhani 2013). This means that

mosque accommodates all kinds of social activities

that are within the limits of taqwa (piety) or which

support the attainment of spiritual conditions and

taqwa, as exemplified by the Prophet (Peace be Upon

Him) in the establishment of the Quba Mosque (the

first mosque of Islam) and the subsequent mosques in

the period of the Prophet (Peace be Upon Him). The

world affairs are located within the limits of taqwa

and should be held inside the mosque area. It was also

explained that at the time of the Prophet (Peace be

Upon Him), the mosque functioned as a cultural

center such as:

1) Mosque as a government center, which also

functioned as a place of government

administration, a place of justice, a place to hold

consultations on both the Islamic community and

those related to the government.

2) Mosque as a center of education, namely as a

place for learning and teaching, and made as a

library as a collection of scientific treasures.

3) Mosque as a center for community affairs, which

consists of a place of art; place of marriage; place

of wakaf or endowments care (property donated

for religious or community use; religious

foundation); place of zakah or charity (tithe;

zakah-fitrah, tithe in rice or money paid on last

day of fasting month; zakah-maal, tithe paid by

rich people); place to stay for travelers; and places

of activity that relate to Muslims, i.e. mosques as

a center of Islamic culture at the time of the

Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) and become the

place for people to gathered and cause the

interaction of human beings, both socially and

Islamically.

Maintaining the mosque is one of the

characteristics of people who believe in Allah and the

Last Day. And one way to prosper the mosque is by

optimizing the role and function of the mosque.

Based on previous research conducted by

(Fitriyani, Awalushaumi and Kurnia 2016), the

quality of idarah (management of mosque), imarah

ICMIs 2018 - International Conference on Mathematics and Islam

176

(prosperity of mosques and development of social

programs), and ri’ayah (physical maintenance of

mosques) are significantly affected the intensity of

visits to mosques Mataram City. This shows that

mosque roles and functions related to health,

education, and economy, which are one element in

mosque prosperity (imarah), need to be improved, in

order to increase the number of visits to mosques.

Another research conducted by (Mahmud,

Rawson and Rahman 2011) showed that it is agreed

that the Mosque is a place for not only prayers but

also a training center of Islamic values. Another result

was that it is important to share the knowledge about

different disciplines at the mosque. Such a Mosque

can help the Muslims to learn the views and thoughts

of Islam and that can help the people live

harmoniously and peacefully and achieve salvation

from Allah in their life hereafter.

This research was conducted with the aim to find

out whether the mosque can be used as a place to

increase the Human Development Index. Other than

that, another goal to be achieved was to find out

whether the mosques have optimized their roles and

functions regarding educational, economic, and

health activities, which are indicators that can

improve HDI.

2 METHODOLOGY

A literature study was conducted to find out whether

mosques can be used as a place to increase the Human

Development Index in Mataram City. Other than that,

researchers used primary data derived through

interviews and questionnaires, in order to find out

whether the mosques in Mataram City have optimized

their roles and functions. Researchers also used

secondary data from Ministry of Religion, West Nusa

Tenggara Province.

Research questions formed by the researcher then

become the primary data of the study to be processed.

A survey has been conducted by using sub-districts

level of Cluster Random Sampling in Mataram City,

where sample size was 97 respondents from 16

different mosques. Different questions have been

asked to find out the research answer, based on 3

basic formations of Human Development Index

(HDI); a long and healthy life (health dimension),

knowledge (educational dimension), and a decent

standard of living (economic dimension).

The analysis steps started with literature study,

followed by the determination of the formulation of

the problem and research objectives. After that,

researchers identified the questions identification and

collect the data. The data that has been obtained was

then analyzed for conclusion.

3 RESULTS AND DISCUSION

3.1 Mosque as a Place for Healthcare

Activities

Mosque as a place for healthcare activities is as

explained in The Qur’an SurahAl-A’raf [7:31],

(surah, division of the Qur’an). This verse indirectly

teaches Muslims community to have a healthy

lifestyle, by not being excessive in eating and

drinking. Excessive eating and drinking are

considered to be evil deeds and a major source of

illness (Bahraen 2018).

In the healthcare aspect, the Prophet (Peace be

Upon Him) once gave an example of making a tent in

a mosque when Sa'ad bin Mu'adh (May Allah be

Pleased with Him) was injured in a battle, as

explained in the hadith Aisyah (May Allah be Pleased

with Her), (hadith, Islam traditional collection of

stories relating words or deeds of Prophet (Peace be

Upon Him), the chief source of guidance for

understanding religious questions).

“…The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon

Him) pitched a tent in the mosque for Sa'ad bin

Mu'adh so that he could be close to him for

visitations… (recorded in Bukhari No. 443).”

Another example for the healthcare aspect was

narrated by Abu Hurairah (May Allah be Pleased with

Him) that one of the constant readiness is by taking

many steps (walking) to the mosque (recorded by

Muslim No. 251). As mentioned in (Barton, Hine and

Pretty 2009), walking is a natural activity, which is

cheap and requires no special equipment. There are

many benefits of walking, such as increasing the

flexibility and stability of joints, helping the prevent

of cardiovascular disease, obesity, type II diabetes,

osteoporosis, metabolic disorders, hypertension, and

mental ill-health.

Before going to the mosque, Muslims are required

to take ablution (wudhu) first, which is certainly

forms hygienic personal habits. This is as explained

in The Qur’an SurahAl-Maidah [5:6], which means:

“O you, who have believed, when you rise to

[perform] prayer, wash your faces and your

forearms to the elbows and wipe over your

heads and wash your feet to the ankles…”

Mosque as a Place to Improve Human Development Index

177

A survey conducted in Mataram City – West Nusa

Tenggara shows that there are 63% of the sample

have a healthcare activity. The healthcare activities

for a long and healthy life dimension are free

treatment (72 % of 63%); free eye check (14% of

63%); and integrated service post (14% of 63%).

3.2 Mosque as a Place for Healthcare

Activities

In hadith recorded in Muslim No. 2699, it is

mentioned that:

“No people gather together in a mosque (the

houses of Allah), reciting the Book of Allah

(Qur’an) and studying it among themselves,

except that tranquility descended upon them,

mercy covers them, the angels surround them,

and Allah makes mention of them to those in

His presence. Whoever is slowed by his deeds

will not be hastened forward by his lineage.”

Mosques are used for many things. For example,

mosques are used as learning centers, ranging from

children to adults. This is nothing but aimed at

developing Islam and making people better. A survey

was conducted to get the following result for the

educational activities for the knowledge dimension.

There are several activities, i.e. Qur'an educational

garden (31% exist); learning activities (81% exist);

library (37% exist); Qur'an interpretation (8% exist);

mosque board training (8% exist); and orphanage

foundations (8% exist).

3.3 Mosque as a Place for Healthcare

Activities

In the economic aspect, mosque is functioned as

baytul mal. The mosque not only used as a place of

worship but is also made as an Economic Community

Management called baytul mal. One of its functions

is in the management of zakah, which is fulfilled to

eight eligible groups (for the poor, for the needy, for

those employed to collect zakah, for those who bring

hearts together for Islam, for those who freeing the

captives or slaves, for those in debt, for the cause of

Allah, and for the traveler, as explained in The Qur’an

SurahAt-Taubah [9:60]).

As explained by Allah in The Qur’an SurahAl-

Hashr [59:7], which means:

“…so that it will not be a perpetual

distribution among the rich from among

you…”

Through mosques, Islam motivates its people to

always make a lawful living, so that after Muslims

worship in the mosque, Allah commands Muslims to

scatter to various places to seek sustenance, as

explained by Allah in the SurahAl-Jumu'ah [62:10].

Basically, the most important element for humans

to increase their economic level is within themselves,

such as motivation, strong effort, creativity, and other

efforts; so that they can provide themselves and their

families. Islam is very critical of Muslims who are

begging, and of Muslims who are worship but forget

about his world affairs.

The survey conducted shows that economic

empowerment activities that have been carried out in

Mataram city – West Nusa Tenggara are limited to

consumptive matter that not entered the stage of

community economic empowerment. The economic

activities for a decent standard of living dimension

are zakah, infaq, and sadaqa management (100%

exist); Qurban management (100% exist);

compensation for orphans (31% exist); and rental of

ambulance, chairs, and others (6% exist).

4 CONCLUSIONS

The development of the mosque in accordance with

the time of the Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) can be

one indicator that can improve the Human

Development Index (HDI). This certainly leads to an

increase in the level of human welfare in West Nusa

Tenggara province, especially in Lombok Island, in

terms of health, education, and economy, thus

supporting the development of a better Indonesian

nation. Mosque is one of the best places that can be

used as a place to improve HDI based on its roles and

functions. Most mosques in Mataram City have

carried out educational and economic empowerment

activities, but not all have carried out healthcare

activities. The economic empowerment activities that

have been carried out are limited to consumptive

matter that not entered the stage of community

economic empowerment.

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