Religion, Humanitarian Action, and Natural Disaster: Dawah bil-Hal Practices of Palang Merah Indonesia during the Bengkulu Flood

Abstract

Purpose: This study examines how dawah bil-hal —the Islamic practice of preaching through action— was embodied by Palang Merah Indonesia (PMI) volunteers during the 2024 Bengkulu flood response. It explores how humanitarian work served both as aid delivery and as a form of religious devotion. Method: Using a qualitative approach, the study draws on in-depth interviews with eight PMI volunteers and one coordinator. Data were analyzed thematically, informed by literature on Islamic ethics, religious subjectivity, and humanitarian action. Findings: The research finds that volunteers expressed Islamic values through compassionate, inclusive actions, often without explicit religious discourse. Their humanitarian work deepened their sense of faith and ethical responsibility, illustrating how Islamic principles guided their disaster response. Implication: This study shows that faith-based motivations can enrich humanitarian practice. It urges greater recognition of religious ethics in disaster frameworks and encourages further cross-context research on dawah bil-hal as an embedded form of moral resilience in Muslim-majority societies.