Menimbang Program Makan Bergizi Gratis Antara Hifẓ Al-Nafs dan Hifẓ Al-Māl: Perspektif Fiqih Syafi’iyyah

Abstract

The Free Nutritious Meal Program (Program Makan Bergizi Gratis—MBG) is one of the Indonesian government's strategic policies aimed at improving children's nutritional status and strengthening the quality of human resources. The program is grounded in a strong public welfare rationale (maṣlaḥah) as it seeks to safeguard health and ensure the sustainability of future generations. Nevertheless, its implementation has generated considerable public debate concerning budgetary priorities, distribution effectiveness, potential inefficiencies, and governance issues. This article aims to analyze the MBG policy through the perspective of maqāṣid al-syarī‘ah by placing two fundamental objectives of Islamic law—hifẓ al-nafs (protection of life) and hifẓ al-māl (protection of wealth)—as the primary analytical framework. The study employs a normative approach using the analytical framework of Shāfiʿī legal maxims, particularly al-aham fal-aham (priority of greater benefit), dhiya' al-māl (prohibition of wastefulness), and sadd al-dharī‘ah (blocking the means to harm), examined through policy documents and empirical facts related to the program's implementation.

The findings indicate that, from a normative perspective, MBG is consistent with the principle of hifẓ al-nafs because it seeks to fulfill children's nutritional needs and prevent various health-related problems. However, its implementation reveals several concerns that may conflict with the principle of hifẓ al-māl, including the reallocation of budgetary priorities away from more urgent sectors, inefficiencies resulting from inaccurate targeting and distribution, and governance weaknesses that may create opportunities for misconduct. From the perspective of Shāfiʿī legal maxims, the public benefit of a policy is determined not only by its noble objectives but also by the appropriateness of its priorities, the efficient management of public resources, and its ability to prevent potential harms (mafsadah).

This article concludes that MBG is a policy with legitimate and sharīʿah-compliant welfare objectives. Nevertheless, its implementation requires further refinement to ensure a balanced realization of both hifẓ al-nafs and hifẓ al-māl. Strengthening governance mechanisms, improving beneficiary targeting, and aligning the program with broader public priorities are essential prerequisites for achieving the intended public welfare outcomes in an optimal manner.