International Journal of Zakat

From Mustahik to Muzaki: Analyzing Career Outcomes and Poverty Alleviation through the Beasiswa Cendekia BAZNAS Program

M. Haris Surya Triono, Farid Septian, Ahmad Khotibul Umam — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 16:33:26 +0000

The Beasiswa Cendekia BAZNAS Program is designed to support students in completing their undergraduate education while promoting poverty alleviation by transforming mustahik (beneficiaries) into muzaki (donors). This research analyzes the program’s effectiveness using a mixed-method approach, incorporating qualitative interviews with BAZNAS RI stakeholders and quantitative analysis of alumni tracer data to examine academic factors influencing alumni career outcomes. The findings reveal that academic factors significantly impact alumni career achievements. For instance, the 2018 alumni cohort has higher incomes compared to other cohorts, influenced by longer work experience and additional scholarship stipends during their studies. Furthermore, alumni from public universities and those in STEM fields tend to have the highest income levels, underscoring the significance of institutional reputation in the job market. Compared to the National Poverty Line 2024, 100% of the alumni are above this threshold. However, when compared to the Had Kifayah per capita per month, 18% of alumni are still below or near it, 70% have exceeded it but have not yet reached the zakat threshold, and 12% have reached the zakat threshold. This reflects the program's success in achieving its goals of poverty alleviation (moving out of poverty) and transforming mustahik into muzaki (moving out of mustahik). This research contributes academically by enriching the literature on the impact of philanthropic scholarships on the economic independence of its recipients. Practically, these findings can help BAZNAS enhance the effectiveness of its scholarship program by emphasizing factors that boost alumni career readiness and competitiveness.

Design Model for Productive Zakat Program BAZNAS Based on Regional Potential Using Participation Action Research (PAR) and Geographic Information System (GIS)

Eka Sri Wahyuni — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 16:40:53 +0000

This study examines the evolution and management of zakat, a fundamental Islamic practice aimed at wealth redistribution and economic empowerment. It highlights the significance of productive zakat of Badan Amil Zakat Nasional (BAZNAS), which supports recipients (mustahīq) in engaging in sustainable business activities, thereby fostering economic independence. Utilizing Participatory Action Research (PAR) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the research develops a model for zakat distribution that aligns with regional potentials, particularly in Bengkulu province, Indonesia. The findings reveal a predominance of consumptive zakat, yet an increasing trend towards productive allocations, especially for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Challenges such as inadequate irrigation and agricultural equipment were identified, necessitating targeted interventions. The proposed zakat model emphasizes collaboration among stakeholders to enhance program effectiveness and sustainability. This research contributes to the discourse on zakat management, advocating for a shift towards productive initiatives that empower mustahīq and promote economic resilience. Future studies should assess the model's applicability across diverse Indonesian contexts to further optimize zakat distribution systems.

The Influence of the Zakat Fund Distribution on Poverty and Education Programs on Child Poverty in Indonesia 2015-2024

Nasywa Hanan Putri Aida — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 16:42:43 +0000

Child poverty is a complex problem in Indonesia. High levels of child poverty not only indicate economic hardship, but also signify a lack of access to adequate education. One potential solution to reduce child poverty is zakat, an Islamic social fund. This study aims to analyze the impact of zakat fund allocation for education programs in reducing child poverty in Indonesia. Utilizing data the study employs multiple regression analysis to evaluate the correlation between child poverty (the dependent variable) and zakat funds, GDP, and inflation. The results indicate that zakat distribution in the field of education has a significant negative impact on child poverty levels, meaning that an increase in zakat allocation for education can substantially reduce child poverty. Additionally, GDP also shows a significant negative effect, suggesting that overall economic improvement contributes to a reduction in child poverty. Conversely, inflation demonstrates a significant positive effect on child poverty, indicating that rising inflation exacerbates poverty by diminishing family purchasing power. These findings highlight the importance of effectively allocating zakat in efforts to combat child poverty and promote sustainable welfare.

Encouraging Sustainable Development through ZIS: The Role of Islamic Philanthropy in Reducing Poverty and Enhancing Socioeconomic Welfare

Tue, 27 May 2025 06:48:26 +0000

In an effort to achieve sustainable development, Islamic philanthropy through Zakat, Infaq, and Sadaqah (ZIS) plays an important role in reducing poverty and improving socio-economic welfare. This study aims to analyze the role of Zakat, Infaq, and Sadaqah (ZIS) as an instrument of Islamic philanthropy on poverty, income inequality, human development index and purchasing power in Indonesia in the long and short term. The data analysis techniques used in this study are in the form of Two-Way Fixed Effect Models-GMM for short-term testing and Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) for long-term. The results show that ZIS has a significant negative influence on poverty, income inequality, and HDI, both in the short and long term, indicating that ZIS distribution can help reduce social inequality and improve people's quality of life. In addition, ZIS has been shown to have a positive impact on people's purchasing power, which shows that the assistance provided can increase the economic capacity of individuals. This study suggests that governments and Islamic philanthropic institutions, such as BAZNAS, strengthen the management and distribution of ZIS with a focus on economic empowerment to maximize its impact on sustainable development.

Critical Assessment of Blockchain Applications in Zakat Literature: Lessons for Government and Future Directions

Arva Athallah Susanto — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 16:44:38 +0000

Blockchain technology is revolutionizing the financial sector, including zakat management within Islamic Social Finance (ISF). This study critically assesses blockchain’s potential to address zakat-related challenges, such as transparency, accountability, and efficiency. While blockchain's decentralized and secure nature offers promising solutions, its adoption remains limited due to obstacles like institutional readiness, public awareness, and regulatory issues. Using the PRISMA-based Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method, this study reviewed 22 documents from an initial 97 to evaluate the application of blockchain and other digital technologies such as AI and IoT in zakat management. These technologies provide new opportunities to improve zakat collection and distribution, but also face challenges in infrastructure and regulation, particularly in Muslim-majority countries. Governments play a key role in fostering the adoption of these technologies by aligning them with sharia compliance and creating supportive policies for digital transformation. This research contributes to the Islamic finance literature by offering insights into how blockchain and digitalization can enhance zakat's social impact. It also provides practical recommendations for policymakers to promote broader adoption of modern technologies in zakat management, helping optimize their effectiveness in poverty alleviation.

The Role of Financial Technology in Determining the Priorities of Distributing Zakat Using Artificial Intelligence to Achieve Maqasid Al Sharia

Prof. Dr Yasser Mohamed Abdelrahman Tarshany — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 16:46:32 +0000

Financial technology has entered all aspects of life, so we need to benefit from it in zakat management, especially emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, which has entered several fields. One of the problems facing zakat management institutions is determining priorities in distributing zakat to legitimate banks, especially with the scarcity of zakat funds relative to the number of those in need of zakat. Therefore, this research aims to present proposals to benefit from artificial intelligence technologies in zakat management and determining priorities according to collecting data related to those in need and analyzing this huge data using machine learning and deep learning techniques. The researcher used the analytical inductive approach, and the results of this research showed the importance of using artificial intelligence in managing zakat funds to achieve the objectives of Islamic law. Therefore, this research is considered a starting point for activating artificial intelligence in zakat management institutions and renewing the means to achieve the objectives of Sharia.

Zakat Distribution Concentration on Poverty Alleviation: A Spatial Analysis in Indonesia-Malaysia Using LQ-DLQ and Panel Data Models

Muhammad Syakhsan Haq — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 16:49:20 +0000

Zakat has a strategic role in reducing poverty, but its effectiveness depends on the concentration of distribution in each region. This study maps the spread of zakat distribution concentration in Indonesia and Malaysia using the modified Location Quotient and Dynamic Location Quotient (LQ-DLQ) method for spatial analysis and measures its impact on poverty through panel data regression models. This approach also compares the effectiveness of the voluntary zakat system in Indonesia with the mandatory zakat system in Malaysia. The results show that the concentration of zakat distribution significantly reduces poverty. Moreover, interaction analysis shows that the mandatory zakat system in Malaysia is more effective in reducing poverty than the voluntary zakat system in Indonesia. Other results also found areas with superior zakat distribution concentration such as DKI Jakarta, Selangor, and Kelantan, but there are also areas such as East Java which although has an average zakat distribution above the national average, the concentration is still classified as underdeveloped. This research recommends amil to optimize zakat distribution locally, especially in underdeveloped areas, and encourage collaboration between countries to improve zakat management.