The Role of BMT Artha Amanah in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals through the Integration of Maal-Tamwil Functions: An Equity Theory Perspective

EDUSOSHUM Journal of Islamic Education and Social Humanities Vol. 6, No. 2, May-August 2026, pp. 1206-1217 ISSN 2776-5229 1206 The Role of BMT Artha Amanah in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals through the Integration of Maal-Tamwil Functions: An Equity Theory Perspective 1,2 Komairah Angriani1, Sartini Wardiwiyono2* Faculty of Economics and Business, Ahmad Dahlan University, Indonesia * ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Article history Received April 2, 2026 Revisied May 17, 2026 Accepted May 22, 2026 Keywords: BMT,SDGs, Islamic Microfinance, Poverty Alleviation, Equity Theory. This study aims to analyze the role of BMT Artha Amanah in supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 2 (zero hunger), and SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), through the integration of the maal and tamwil functions. This study used a qualitative case study approach, involving six informants: five members and one BMT manager. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation, and then analyzed using data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion-drawing techniques. The results reveal three main findings. First, productive financing, combined with structured mentoring, increases members’ monthly income and strengthens MSME capacity. Second, optimizing the maal functions through ZISWAF distribution provides a social safety net for vulnerable members during emergencies. Third, the integration of maal and tamwil functions promotes holistic welfare covering economic, social, and spiritual dimensions. However, the program's effectiveness is still constrained by members’ low financial literacy in managing business cash flow. The novelty of this study lies in extending Equity Theory within the context of Islamic microfinance by demonstrating that distributive justice is reflected not only in financial profit-sharing mechanisms but also in equal access to services, empowerment, and managerial assistance. In practice, this study offers a sustainable empowerment model through the synergy between social and commercial functions to support SDG localization. 1. INTRODUCTION Poverty is a structural problem that remains a major challenge in developing countries because it causes economic inequality and uneven growth (Hanandita & Tampubolon, 2016). The inability of communities to meet basic needs such as education, food, and public services demonstrates that poverty remains a significant obstacle to sustainable development (Nuryitmawan, 2016; Antoniades et al., 2020). This situation is further complicated in rural communities, which face limited infrastructure, low-quality education, and limited access to financial services (Soseco et al., 2022). Therefore, poverty alleviation is a global priority, reflected in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (Nugroho, 2023). As a global development framework, the SDGs established by the United Nations in 2015 encompass 17 goals that integrate social, economic, and environmental aspects, including poverty alleviation, inequality reduction, and the improvement of community well-being (United Nations, 2015). Implementing the SDGs in Indonesia requires synergy among various Komairah Angriani et.al (The Role of BMT Artha Amanah in Achieving Sustainable…) EDUSOSHUM Journal of Islamic Education and Social Humanities Vol. 6, No. 2, May-August 2026, pp. 1206-1217 ISSN 2776-5229 1207 parties, including Islamic Microfinance Institutions (LKMS), which play a strategic role in promoting financial inclusion and the economic empowerment of low-income communities. In this context, Islamic Microfinance (IMF) is a crucial instrument in expanding access to Sharia-based funding for poor and underserved communities (Purwanto et al., 2021). With its profit-sharing principles, prohibition of usury, and integration of social instruments such as zakat and waqf, the IMF holds significant potential to support the achievement of SDGs 1, 2, and 8 (Ahmad & Ahmad, 2021). Various studies have shown that the IMF can increase community economic capacity through productive financing and business assistance, although its effectiveness is still affected by resource limitations and the optimization of social functions (Ma’ruf et al., 2025; Haidar, 2024). One form of IMF implementation at the local level is Baitul Maal wat Tamwil (BMT), which serves a dual function as a commercial (tamwil) and social (maal) institution (Bayani et al., 2025; Wardiwiyono, 2012). The maal function encompasses the management of ZISWAF funds, while the tamwil function focuses on financing micro-enterprises based on sharia-compliant contracts such as murabahah, mudharabah, and musyarakah (Faizah, 2022). The integration of these two functions enables BMTs to contribute not only to income improvement but also to sustainable social protection and community empowerment (Setyaningsih & Hanifuddin, 2021). Empirically, various studies have shown that BMTs play an important role in improving community welfare through increasing business turnover, expanding employment opportunities, and strengthening members’ economic capacity (Fathurrahman & Mutmainah, 2023). However, previous studies have predominantly focused on financial inclusion, financing effectiveness, and poverty alleviation from an economic perspective. Few studies have examined the integration of maal and tamwil functions to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the areas of distributive justice, social protection, and holistic welfare, including social and spiritual impacts. Moreover, empirical studies connecting Islamic microfinance practices with Equity Theory at the institutional level remain sparse (Alkhan & Hassan, 2020). From a theoretical perspective, Equity Theory emphasizes that fairness is determined by the balance between individuals' inputs and outputs. In the context of a BMT, this theory is highly relevant for assessing distributive justice, particularly regarding how members perceive the fairness of access to financing, profit-sharing ratios, and social mentoring services relative to their loyalty and commitments (Suaidah & Arjun, 2023). Unlike previous studies that mainly emphasize financing effectiveness and financial inclusion, this study examines BMT as an integrated social-commercial institution through the lens of Equity Theory. By integrating the maal and tamwil functions, this study explains how distributive justice operates within Islamic microfinance to support the achievement of SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). One BMT that plays an important role in empowering local communities is BMT Artha Amanah, located in Sanden, Bantul, Yogyakarta. This BMT not only carries out financing functions but also manages social funds and community empowerment programs. Previous research has shown that financing provided by BMT Artha Amanah can increase members’ income and business sust (...truncated)