TRUST, AWARENESS, AND INTENTION IN CASH WAQF PARTICIPATION: EVIDENCE FROM SAUDI ARABIA

Abstract

This study investigates how trust in waqf institutions shapes individuals’ intention to contribute to Cash Waqf, while also examining the moderating role of awareness. Despite the strong theological and social foundations of waqf, participation in Cash Waqf remains limited in Saudi Arabia, where empirical evidence on behavioral antecedents is scarce. Drawing upon the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and extended through constructs of trust and awareness, this study explores how affective and cognitive factors jointly influence philanthropic financial behavior.

A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed, surveying 384 Muslim respondents across Saudi Arabia through a structured questionnaire. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), the study confirms that trust exerts a significant and positive influence on the intention to participate in Cash Waqf, emphasizing the importance of institutional credibility, transparency, and compliance with shariah principles. Furthermore, awareness enhances this relationship, indicating that individuals with higher understanding of Cash Waqf mechanisms are more likely to translate trust into behavioral intention.

The findings enrich the body of Islamic social finance literature by positioning awareness as a boundary condition that strengthens the psychological effect of trust. The study extends the TPB framework to a faith-based financial context, demonstrating that cognitive understanding amplifies moral conviction in shaping donation behavior. Practically, it highlights the need for waqf institutions to integrate trust-building strategies with public awareness initiatives—such as educational programs, digital outreach, and community engagement—to foster broader participation in Cash Waqf and advance Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives.