AN IMPLEMENTATION OF E-ZAKĀH PAYMENT IN MALAYSIA FROM THE SHARĪ‘AH PERSPECTIVE
Abstract
This study examines the Sharī‘ah validity, implementation, and practical challenges of e-Zakāh payment systems in Malaysia. It investigates whether digital Zakāh payments fulfil essential requirements, including niyyah (intention), zakatable wealth, and rightful distribution to eligible asnāf, and assesses acceptance among the Muslim community amid increasing digitalisation. Using a qualitative approach, the study combines library research (classical and contemporary fiqh texts, fatwa documents, journal articles, and online sources) with a semi-structured expert interview with an administrative officer from the IIUM Zakāh Endowment Fund Unit. Thematic analysis of the data indicates that e-Zakāh is permissible (jā’iz/harus) and Sharī‘ah compliant, provided core pillars are observed and the pronunciation of aqd is not required. The system is widely accepted, particularly among youth and professionals, enhancing accessibility, efficiency, and transparency. Challenges include digital literacy gaps, rural access limitations, and online trust issues. Recommendations include digital awareness programmes, user friendly platforms, and digital certification to strengthen confidence in e-Zakāh.
References
ʻAbd Allāh Ibn Muḥammad alṭyyār, ʻAbd Allāh Ibn Muḥammad al-Muṭlaq, Muḥammad ibn Ibrāhīm al-Musá. Al-Fiqhu Al-Muyassar. Madāru Al-Waṭn. 2012. https://shamela.ws/book/5913
Abdul Ghofar, Muhammad Fawwaz, Silvi Asna Prestianawati, Muhammad Faraz Mubarak, Asfi Manzilati, & Tsumma Lazuardini Imamia. “Young Muslim Generation’s Preferences for using Digital Platforms for Zakat payments: A cross-country study of Indonesia and Malaysia”. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development. 8, No. 6 (2024). https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i6.3249
ʻAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Muḥammad ʻAwaḍ al-Jazīrī. Al-Fiqh ʻalá Al-Madhāhib Al-Arbaʻah. (2nd ed.). Bayrūt-Lubnān: Dār al-Kutub al-ʻIlmīyah. 2003. https://shamela.ws/book/9849
Aisyah Abdul-Rahman, Shifa Mohd Nor, & Salmy Edawaty Yaacob. “Technological Integration within Zakat Institutions: A Comprehensive Review and Prospective Research Directions”. International Journal of Islamic Thought. 24 (2023). https://www.ukm.my/ijit/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Aisyah-IJIT-Volume-24-Dec-2023.pdf
Alzahrin Alias. (2015, July 14). Kaedah bayar zakat secara atas talian masih diragui. Berita Harian Online. Retrieved on 7th August 2025. https://www.bharian.com.my/bhplus-old/2015/07/67852/kaedah-bayar-zakat-secara-atas-talian-masih-diragui.
Bernama. (2025, February 27). Sah bayar zakat fitrah 'online' walau tanpa akad – Timbalan Mufti Perak. Harian Metro. Retrieved on 23rd August 2025. https://www.hmetro.com.my/mutakhir/2025/02/1191647/sah-bayar-zakat-fitrah-online-walau-tanpa-akad-timbalan-mufti-perak#google_vignette.
Hainnuraqma Rahim, Hamidah Muhd Irpan, Nor Balkish Zakaria, Mohamed Fairooz Abdul Khir, & Sobhani Farid Ahammad. “Perceived Usefulness and Attitude toward Intention and Acceptance of E-Payment Zakat”. Journal of Nusantara Studies. 9, no. 1 (2024): 320-344. https://doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol9iss1pp320-344
Hossain, M. Z. “Zakat in Islam: A Powerful Poverty Alleviating Instrument for Islamic Countries.” International Journal of Economic Development Research and Investment 3, no. 1 (2012). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282603198_Zakat_in_Islam_A_Powerful_Poverty_Alleviating_Instrument_For_Islamic_Countries
Ḥusām al-Dīn ibn Mūsá Muḥammad ibn ʻAfānah.Yasʼalūnaka ʻan Al-Zakāh. (1st ed.). Palestine: Lajnat Zakāt al-Quds. 2007. https://shamela.ws/book/12838
Kamaru Salam Bin Yusof & Muhammad Zaki Bin Haji Zaini @ Jaineh. “Digital Payment of Zakat: Community Perceptions and Prospects in Brunei”. Borneo International Journal 6, no. 2 (2023): www.majmuah.com
Khairul Azhar Meerangani, Muhammad Taufik Md Sharipp, Muhammad Ikhlas Rosele, Mohammad Fahmi Abdul Hamid, & Abdul Qayuum Abdul Razak. “Digitalisasi Sistem Pengurusan Zakat di Malaysia: Potensi Dan Cabaran”. Jurnal Inovasi Perniagaan. 6 (2021): pp: 36-48 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/356982730_DIGITALISASI_SISTEM_PENGURUSAN_ZAKAT_DI_MALAYSIA_POTENSI_DAN_CABARAN
Marhanum Che Mohd Salleh & Mohammad Abdul Matin Chowdhury. “Technological Transformation in Malaysian Zakat Institutions: A Qualitative Analysis”. International Journal of Zakat. 5 no.3 (2020): 44-56. http://dx.doi.org/10.37706/ijaz.v5i3.263
Mohd Faezul Fikri Ag Omar, Mohd Nur Hidayat Hasbollah Hajimin, Suddin Lada, Haneffa Muchlis Gazali, & Najwa Mohd Khalil. “The Acceptance of Online Zakat Payment Among Muslims in East Malaysia: A Conceptual Study”. Labuan E-Journal of Muamalat and Society. 16, (2022): 13-21. https://jurcon.ums.edu.my/ojums/index.php/LJMS/article/view/4179/2666
Muḥammad ibn Ibrāhīm ibn ʻAbd Allāh al-Tuwayjirī. Mawsūʻat Al-Fiqh Al-Islāmī. (1st ed.). Bayt al-afkār al-Dawlīyah. 2009. https://shamela.ws/book/37532
Muhammad Ikhlas Rosele, Abdul Muneem, Noor Naemah Binti Abdul Rahman, & Abdul Karim Ali. “The Digitalized Zakat Management System in Malaysia and the Way Forward”. Al-Ihkam: Jurnal Hukum dan Pranata Sosial. 17, no.1 (2022): 242-272. https://doi.org/10.19105/al-Ihkam.v17I1.5365
Muhammad Ridhwan Ab. Aziz, Mohd Asyraf Yusof, Mohamad Haji Alias, & Mohd Nazri Mohd Noor. “Kajian Literatur Mengenai Sistem Zakat atas Talian dan Hubungannya dengan Kutipan Zakat di Malaysia”. International Journal of Business and Economy. 3, no. 3 (2021): pp: 62-68 https://myjms.mohe.gov.my/index.php/ijbec
Muhammad Zilal Hamzah, Hainnuraqma Rahim, Mohamed Saladin Abdul Rasool, Mohamed Fairooz Abdul Khir, & Nor Balkish Zakari. “Ease And Usefulness of Zakat E-Payment: The Mediating Role of Attitude Towards Intention”. Journal of Nusantara Studies. 8, no.3 (2023): 408-428. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jouns.vol8iss3pp408-428
Mustafa Mat Jubri Shamsuddin, Mohd Fuad Md Sawari, & Mohamad Sabri Zakaria. “Redefining Asnaf Fi Sabillah: Contemporary Interpretations and Zakat Distribution Practices in Islamic Banking and Finance Institutions (IBFIs)”. Journal of Islamic Finance 14, no.1 (2025): 46-59. https://journals.iium.edu.my/iiibfjournal/index.php/jif/article/download/946/409/2709
Nadzirah. (2015, July 8). Hukum Mengeluarkan Zakat. Mufti of Federal Territory's Office. Retrieved on 22nd August 2025.
https://www.muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/irsyad-hukum/edisi-ramadhan/1982-hukum-mengeluarkan-zakat.
Nassar Nordin, Syahidawati Shahwan, Norhazlina Ibrahim, & Nurulbahiah Awang. “Using E-Wallet in Collecting and Distributing Zakat in Malaysia”. International Journal of Business and Technology Management. 5, no.1, (2023): 175-186. https://doi.org/10.55057/ijbtm.2023.5.1.16
Norhatini Jamaludin, Norazlina Abd Wahab, & Abu Bakar Hamed. “Muslim Perception on Online Zakat Usage in Kuala Lumpur”. The Journal of Muamalat and Islamic Finance Research, 14, no.1 (2017): 55–71. https://jmifr.usim.edu.my/index.php/jmifr/article/view/14/15
Pusat Kutipan Zakat Pahang. (n.d.). Zakat Rikaz dan Ma'adin. Retrieved on 26th August 2025.
https://zakatpahang.my/zakat-maadin/.
Saʻīd ibn ʻAlī ibn Wahf al-Qaḥṭānī. Manzilat Al-Zakāh fī Al-Islām. al-Riyāḍ: Maṭbaʻat Safīr. (n.d.). https://shamela.ws/book/96527
Ṣāliḥ ibn Fawzān ibn ʻAbd Allāh al-Fawzān. Al-Mulakhkhaṣ Al-Fiqhī (1st ed.). 2003. Dār al-ʻĀṣimah. https://shamela.ws/book/11811
Wahbah ibn Muṣṭafá Alzzuḥaylī. Al-Fiqh Al-Islāmī Wa-adillatuh (4th ed.). Dār al-Fikr. (n.d.). https://shamela.ws/book/384
Wan Ahmad Naqiuddin. (2020, January 31). Retrieved on 29th August 2025.
Irsyad Hukum Siri Ke #392: Adakah Masih Wujud Asnaf Al-Riqab Pada Zaman Sekarang? Mufti of Federal Territory's Office.
https://dev.tunaizakat.my/en/zakat-emas/?utm, Retrieved on 15th Sept 2025.
https://muftiwp.gov.my/en/artikel/irsyad-fatwa/irsyad-fatwa-umum-cat/4089-irsyad-al-fatwa-siri-ke-392-adakah-masih wujud-asnaf-al-riqab-pada-zaman-sekarang.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Nan Noorhidayu Megat Laksana, Nur Farah Adiela binti Mohamad Hairolny
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
