Reimagining Zakat Governance: A Maqasid-Based Framework for Social Justice in Modern Islamic Welfare Systems
Published:
2025-12-31Downloads
Abstract
Zakat has long been positioned as a central instrument of social welfare in Islamic societies. However, contemporary zakat governance systems often remain fragmented, administratively rigid, and insufficiently aligned with broader objectives of social justice and sustainable development. This study challenges conventional zakat management approaches by reconceptualizing zakat governance through a Maqasid al-Shariah-based framework that emphasizes justice, equity, and human dignity. Employing a qualitative conceptual methodology grounded in Islamic legal theory and welfare governance studies, this research develops a novel model termed Maqasid-Based Zakat Governance (MBZG). The findings reveal that zakat can be transformed from a redistributive charity mechanism into a systemic instrument of socio-economic justice, capable of addressing structural inequality and enhancing long-term welfare outcomes. The proposed framework integrates normative principles with institutional design, enabling zakat systems to function as adaptive and impact-oriented governance mechanisms. This study advances a theoretical shift from charity-based administration to justice-driven governance, thereby positioning zakat as a strategic component of modern Islamic welfare systems. By bridging Islamic legal principles with contemporary welfare theory, this research contributes a transformative model for rethinking social justice in Muslim societies.
Keywords:
legal pluralism socio-legal studies governance legal hybridityReferences
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