Mechanisms for Supporting the Needy in Islamic Social Security Governance

Islamic teachings define an individual in need of support within the social security system as any person facing difficulties in meeting their essential and supplementary needs. This research demonstrates that the governance model for supporting these needy individuals is based on a justice-oriented approach within the Islamic economy. The fundamental research question is: According to established criteria of social and economic justice, what are the mechanisms for supporting the needy in Islamic society and how are these mechanisms prioritized and sequenced? This study, employing an analytical‑descriptive methodology, aims to delineate the dimensions of support mechanisms within Islamic social security across four levels: (1) the categories of individuals entitled to assistance, (2) the extent of coverage or scope of support, (3) the methods and strategies employed for assistance, and (4) the resources mobilized for support. All of these are examined through the lens of a justice‑oriented approach to the Islamic economy. The research findings reveal that the support model for meeting the needs of the needy adopts a differentiated strategy, tailoring assistance to the specific circumstances of various social groups. Accordingly, needy groups, considering the quality of their engagement and the support strategy, are placed under the Islamic governance and social‑security system through three complementary approaches: sustainable empowerment, sustainable sponsorship, and temporary sponsorship. These approaches are delivered via people‑based and governmental support layers that operate within the overarching framework of Islamic governance and social security. In this regard, the most important governance policy of the Islamic government is to create equal conditions, eliminate barriers, empower, and provide a suitable platform for growth and access to resources, and ultimately meet the basic needs to support the weaker sections of society.