Young Women and Social Entrepreneurship in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah: A Conceptual Inquiry Grounded in Islamic Philanthropy

Abstract

This study undertakes a conceptual examination of the social entrepreneurship landscape among young women in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, a city distinguished by its singular historical role as the cradle of Muslim civilization and the birthplace of organized Islamic philanthropy. Drawing on two years of fieldwork conducted by the Basiqat Waqf Foundation between 2020 and 2022, during which 128 young women underwent structured training in personal development and entrepreneurial excellence through the Personal Development Analysis (PDA) instrument, the study employs a qualitative methodology combining critical literature review with systematic thematic analysis of field data, following the six-phase procedure established by Braun and Clarke (2006). Aggregate behavioral profiling of the 128 participants through the DISC framework revealed a predominant orientation toward Influence (mean score 72.3 out of 100) and Steadiness (mean score 68.1 out of 100), indicating a relational and community-focused motivational profile that diverges markedly from profiles typically associated with commercial entrepreneurship. The study argues that conventional theoretical models are insufficient to capture the multidimensional character of this phenomenon. A central finding is that the intrinsic pleasure derived from contributing to socially meaningful projects constitutes a primary motivational driver, superseding conventional entrepreneurial incentives such as market competition or financial gain. The study further demonstrates that spiritual serenity, deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of Madinah, plays a structurally significant role in shaping entrepreneurial attitudes and behaviors. Post-training follow-up data from 2023 to 2024 confirm that 89 of the 128 participants (69.5 percent) maintained active social entrepreneurial engagement, lending empirical support to the durability of intrinsically motivated commitment. Despite its scope limitations, the study offers valuable guidance for stakeholders seeking to advance social entrepreneurship ecosystems that are sensitive to local cultural and spiritual dimensions, moving beyond purely competitive or market-driven frameworks.