ZAKAT AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION RESEARCH

Abstract

Zakat is a core instrument of Islamic social finance intended to alleviate poverty and promote equitable wealth redistribution. Despite growing institutionalisation and technological advancement in zakat management, evidence on its long-term effectiveness in poverty alleviation remains fragmented. This study synthesises over 15 years of empirical zakat research conducted across different socio-economic contexts to consolidate cumulative evidence on zakat’s role in reducing poverty incidence, depth, and severity. Adopting a qualitative content analysis of empirical studies, the research examines methodological approaches, poverty measurement techniques, and institutional factors shaping zakat outcomes. The findings indicate that zakat consistently alleviates short-term poverty, particularly through income and consumption support; however, its sustained impact is constrained by limitations in targeting accuracy, governance capacity, and reliance on conventional income-based poverty measures. The study highlights a methodological shift toward zakat-based poverty thresholds, such as had kifayah, which better capture household needs and cost-of-living realities. By integrating empirical findings with long-term research experience, this study advances an evidence-based perspective on strengthening zakat governance, measurement, and strategic allocation for sustainable poverty alleviation