Abstract

This study aims to develop an alternative credit scoring model for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) based on Islamic finance principles, specifically contextualized to the characteristics of community-based enterprises in Gorontalo City. Limited access to formal financing among MSMEs due to the lack of administrative capacity and guarantees necessitates a scoring mechanism that reflects both business feasibility and ethical-social dimensions in accordance with maqashid sharia. Using a basic research approach, the study involved a literature review, expert validation using the Content Validity Index (CVI), and pilot testing of the scoring instrument on 49 MSMEs. Indicators were developed across three dimensions: business feasibility, social-ethical integrity, and Sharia compliance. The CVI analysis confirmed the relevance of all proposed items (I-CVI > 0.80), ensuring content validity. Field data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and fuzzy logic classification, generating risk profiles categorized as low, medium, and high. The results demonstrate that the scoring system effectively captures risk while aligning with Islamic ethical norms and provides a foundation for more inclusive Islamic microfinance mechanisms. This study contributes to the integration of faith-based finance into MSME empowerment and offers a replicable model for local BMTs and Sharia cooperatives in similar contexts.

Keywords: Islamic credit scoring, MSMEs, maqashid sharia, fuzzy logic, Islamic microfinance.