Digital Divide in Zakat: A Comparative Study of E‑Zakat Systems, Trust, and Socio‑Economic Resilience in Malaysia and Indonesia

Authors

  • Febby Apri Wenando Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia Author
  • Ahmad Hamdalah Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Syarif Kasim,Riau, Indonesia Author
  • Ahmad Suryadi International Islamic University, Gombak, Malaysia Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.66277/jsm.1.1.314

Keywords:

e zakat adoption; , digital infrastructure; , socio cultural moderation; , Malaysia and Indonesia;, public trust.

Abstract

Digital zakat in Muslim majority countries promises efficiency and transparency, yet adoption success varies greatly, especially between Malaysia and Indonesia. This study aims to analyse differences in digital infrastructure readiness, public trust, and socio cultural moderation of e zakat adoption and socio economic resilience in both countries. A comparative systematic literature review was conducted, triangulating sources from Scopus indexed journals, BAZNAS, PPZ, and MAIWP reports (2015-2025). Results show that Malaysia achieves 80.48% e zakat adoption due to mature digital infrastructure, tax zakat integration, and high public trust. In contrast, Indonesia has realised only about 12% of its potential (IDR 327 trillion), hindered by low digital literacy, distrust in formal institutions, and misalignment with local traditions and ulama authority. The findings implythat successful zakat digitalisation requires simultaneous improvement of all five diffusion of innovation attributes (relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, observability). Policy recommendations include enhancing rural digital literacy, integrating zakat with taxation, engaging ulama, and ensuring distribution transparency through public audits and digital dashboards. Thus, technology alone is insufficient; institutional and socio cultural adaptations are essential for inclusive resilience.

References

1. Abdullah, Z., Sharif, M. H. M., Saad, R. A. J., Ariff, A. H. M., Hussain, M. H. M., & Nasir, M. (2023). Zakat institutions’ adoption of social media. Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research, 14(8), 1261–1280. https://doi.org/10.1108/jiabr-01-2022-0013

2. Adinugraha, H. H., Shulthoni, M., & Sain, Z. H. (2024). Transformation of cash waqf management in Indonesia: Insights into the development of digitalization. Review of Islamic Social Finance and Entrepreneurship, 3(1), 50–66. https://doi.org/10.20885/risfe.vol3.iss1.art4

3. Ali, M. M., Devi, A., Bustomi, H., Sakti, M. R. P., & Furqani, H. (2021). Factors influencing Islamic financial inclusion in Indonesia: A structural equation modelling approach. ICR Journal, 12(2), 249–274. https://doi.org/10.52282/icr.v12i2.866

4. Amrullah, M. T., Nisa, C., & Debora, C. (2024). IKOPZ: Measuring the accountability of zakat, infaq, and sadaqah fund management in BAZNAS Jakarta Province. Perbanas Journal of Islamic Economics and Business, 4(2), 165–178. https://doi.org/10.56174/pjieb.v4i2.258

5. Arsad, S., Haji-Othman, Y., Yusuff, M. S. S., & Ahmad, R. (2023). Zakat: A bibliometric analysis. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 13(11), 2133–2145. https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v13-i11/19521

6. Asa’ari, A., Nurdiansyah, R., & Hainadri, H. (2022). The practice of establishing Islamic law by indigenous people: A study of five villages in Kedepatian Semerap, Kerinci Regency. Khatulistiwa, 12(2), 146–162. https://doi.org/10.24260/khatulistiwa.v12i2.2379

7. Athoillah, S., Ashari, M. K., & Alauddin, M. B. (2023). Religious digital literacy of urban Muslim society in Indonesia: A systematic literature review. Akademika: Jurnal Pemikiran Islam, 28(2), 141–156. https://doi.org/10.32332/akademika.v28i2.7088

8. Awang Abu Bakar, N. S., Yahya, N., Abdullah, L. M., S. Abd. Aziz, M., Baharuden, A. F., Rosli, R., & Jumaan, I. A. (2025). Assessments of the data management practices in zakat institutions in Malaysia: A concept paper [Paper presentation]. 10th International Conference on Computing, Engineering and Design (ICCED), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. http://irep.iium.edu.my/121590/

9. Azzah, F. N., & Santosa, P. B. (2022). Analysis of zakat literacy in Kudus Regency, Central Java Province: A mixed-method approach. Ziswaf: Jurnal Zakat dan Wakaf, 9(2), 116–130. https://doi.org/10.21043/ziswaf.v9i2.15227

10. Bakar, F. M. A. (2022). E-wallet usage to pay zakat during COVID-19 pandemic among Malaysian’s polytechnic lecturers. International Journal of Islamic Economics and Finance Research, 5(2), 57–79. https://doi.org/10.53840/ijiefer91

11. BAZNAS. (2026). Laporan dampak zakat program ekonomi BAZNAS RI terhadap pengentasan kemiskinan tahun 2025. Puskas BAZNAS. https://www.puskas.baznas.go.id

12. Bonang, D., Ismail, S., & Sukmana, R. (2024). Empowering the future of cash waqf through digitalisation: An insight into the philanthropic intention of the Indonesian Muslim community. ISRA International Journal of Islamic Finance, 16(S1), 94–117. https://doi.org/10.55188/ijif.v16is1.586

13. Denzin, N. K. (1978). Sociological methods: A sourcebook (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill.

14. Dikuraisyin, B., & Najah, A. (2024). Reconstructing zakat management through political culture: Insights from Madura. Ulul Albab: Jurnal Studi dan Penelitian Hukum Islam, 7(2), 151–168. https://doi.org/10.30659/jua.v7i2.33734

15. Factors affecting the implementation of zakat accounting in Indonesia. (2023). Asia-Pacific Management Accounting Journal, 18(3), 85–104. https://doi.org/10.24191/apmaj.v18i3-15

16. Guest, G., MacQueen, K. M., & Namey, E. E. (2012). Applied thematic analysis. SAGE Publications.

17. Guest, G., MacQueen, K. M., & Namey, E. E. (2012). Applied thematic analysis. SAGE Publications.

18. Hartono, H. S. (2025, November). Digital zakat and waqf: Mapping innovation and transparency across Muslim countries [Paper presentation]. 2025 Cilis Islamic Studies Postgraduate Conference, University of Melbourne, Australia.

19. Herianingrum, S., Widiastuti, T., Hapsari, M. I., Ratnasari, R. T., Firmansyah, F., Hassan, S. A., Febriyanti, A. R., Amalia, R. C., & Muzakki, L. A. (2022). Muzakki and mustahik’s collaboration model for strengthening the fundraising capacity of Islamic social finance institutions during COVID-19. International Journal of Ethics and Systems, 40(1), 175–188. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijoes-05-2022-0091

20. Indriana, I., Arman, A., Yussof, I., & Maasi, J. W. (2023). Interaction of Islamic economics and government transformation technology in Indonesian Muslim society. Jurnal Ilmiah Al-Syir’ah, 21(2), 261–278. https://doi.org/10.30984/jis.v21i2.2660

21. Ishak, N. A., Abdul Rahman, R., Meor Zawawi, M., Alwi, F., Abd Wahab, R., & Zakaria, N. B. (2025). Enhancing adoption of online zakat payment systems: A study on technology readiness, perceived risk, and transparency in Malaysia. Asia-Pacific Management Accounting Journal (APMAJ), 20(2), 325–346. https://ir.uitm.edu.my/id/eprint/122503/

22. Kasri, R. A., & Sosianti, M. W. (2023). Determinants of the intention to pay zakat online: The case of Indonesia. Journal of Islamic Monetary Economics and Finance, 9(2), 275–294. https://doi.org/10.21043/jimf.v9i2.1664

23. Kitchenham, B., & Charters, S. (2007). Guidelines for performing systematic literature reviews in software engineering(Version 2.3) [EBSE Technical Report]. Keele University.

24. Kitchenham, B., & Charters, S. (2007). Guidelines for performing systematic literature reviews in software engineering(Version 2.3) [EBSE Technical Report EBSE-2007-01]. Keele University and Durham University.

25. Ma’ruf, A., Chalifatunnisa, C. M., Hasanah, S. M., & Puspitasari, C. (2022). Zakat development towards sustainable economic growth. Eksyar: Jurnal Ekonomi Syari’ah & Bisnis Islam, 9(2), 158–172. https://doi.org/10.54956/eksyar.v9i2.389

26. Marshall, I. G., & Herianingrum, S. (2022). Zakat management: Update-to-down zakat governance in the amil zakat agencies in Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam. Afebi Islamic Finance and Economic Review, 6(1), 15–28. https://doi.org/10.47312/aifer.v5i01.370

27. Moniruzzaman. (2025). Digital zakat management in Muslim countries: A comparative analysis through a literature-based lens. AZKA International Journal of Zakat & Social Finance, 6(2), 183–206. https://doi.org/10.51377/azjaf.vol6no2.213

28. Munadi, M., Umar, A. U. A. A., & Anggraini, N. (2021). Education and concern of zakat agencies. Jurnal Penelitian, 15(1), 51–66. https://doi.org/10.21043/jp.v15i1.9208

29. Mutmainah, L., Berakon, I., & Yusfiarto, R. (2024). Does financial technology improve intention to pay zakat during national economic recovery? A multi-group analysis. Journal of Islamic Marketing, 15(6), 1583–1607. https://doi.org/10.1108/jima-09-2022-0268

30. Nasution, A., Siregar, T. R. S., Rahman, H., & Putra, H. K. (2023). The role of sharia compliance, good corporate governance, competence on SUMUT zakat management. Jurnal Ekonomi Syariah, 8(2), 126–136. https://doi.org/10.37058/jes.v8i2.8451

31. Nazeri, A. N. N. A., Nor, S. M., Abdul-Rahman, A., Abdul-Majid, M., & Hamid, S. N. A. (2023). Exploration of a new zakat management system empowered by blockchain technology in Malaysia. ISRA International Journal of Islamic Finance, 15(4), 127–147. https://doi.org/10.55188/ijif.v15i4.568

32. Paizin, M. N., & Aziz, A. R. A. (2021). Concepts and views of individuals on wakalah zakat implementation. International Journal of Islamic Economics and Finance Research, 4(2), 25–38. https://doi.org/10.53840/ijiefer57

33. Patton, M. Q. (1999). Enhancing the quality and credibility of qualitative analysis. Health Services Research, 34(5 Pt 2), 1189–1208.

34. Prianto, A. L., Usman, S., Amri, A., Nurmandi, A., Qodir, Z., Jubba, H., & Ilik, G. (2023). Faith-based organizations’ humanitarian work from the disaster risk governance perspective: Lessons from COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. Mazahib, 22(1), 129–174. https://doi.org/10.21093/mj.v22i1.6317

35. Putri, F. I. (2022). Productivity of zakat institutions in Indonesia. Islamic Social Finance, 2(2), 89–102. https://doi.org/10.58968/isf.v2i2.156

36. Qutaiba, M., Owais, M., & Muharam, A. S. (2024). The current issue of reporting zakat in Indonesia: A critical analysis. Journal of Islamic Economic and Business Research, 4(1), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.18196/jiebr.v4i1.227

37. Riani, D., Meutia, M., Taqi, M., & Ismawati, I. (2024). Efficiency and stability of zakat institutions in Malaysia and Indonesia: DEA window analysis. TEM Journal, 13(1), 303–314. https://doi.org/10.18421/tem131-32

38. Rogers, E. M. (1995). Diffusion of innovations (4th ed.). Free Press.

39. Saat, N. (2022). Managing Islam in Singapore: A strong and resilient state. Studia Islamika, 29(2), 213–239. https://doi.org/10.36712/sdi.v29i2.25215

40. Saro, N., & Nasir, R. (2025). Exploring the role of convenience and technology in the adoption of digital zakat platforms. Journal of Syariah, 33(2), 145–162. https://doi.org/10.22452/syariah.vol33no2.2

41. Siswantoro, D., Nurzaman, M. S., Nurhayati, S., Munandar, A., & Ismail, A. G. (2021). Incentive zakat agency mechanism, a comparison between Indonesia and Malaysia. International Journal of Islamic Business and Economics (IJIBEC), 5(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.28918/ijibec.v5i1.3067

42. Susanto, A. A., Choris, L. H. I. P., Bani, N. A., Rizal, C. F., & Oktari, M. (2024). Digital transformation in zakat management: A bibliometric review on the application of blockchain technology. EPiBAF, 11(1), 768–790. https://doi.org/10.33102/7qjfd415

43. Syaifuddin, T. (2021). Society’s perceptions toward zakat distribution in micro economic empowerment. Jurnal Penelitian, 18(1), 67–76. https://doi.org/10.28918/jupe.v18i1.3951

44. Taruno, A., Said, M., Aji, R. H. S., & Rini, R. (2025). Integrated zakat governance model in Malaysia: Lessons for zakat management reform in Indonesia based on efficiency analysis and mixed-methods. International Journal of Social Science and Business, 9(4), 778–794. https://doi.org/10.23887/ijssb.v9i4.107374

45. Tenriwaru, T., Said, M. A., & Budiandriani, B. (2022). Management accountability of zakat and its role to empower creative economy. International Journal of Religious and Cultural Studies (IJRACS), 4(2), 115–128. https://doi.org/10.34199/ijracs.2022.10.07

46. Untitled [Fatwa and legal dynamics in Indonesia]. (2022). Al-Ihkam: Jurnal Hukum & Pranata Sosial, 17(1), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.19105/al-lhkam.v17i1

47. Vergani, M., Barton, G., & Wahid, Y. (2021). Understanding violent extremism in Indonesia. In Countering violent extremism in Indonesia (pp. 29–62). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-2032-4_2

48. Wahyudi, I., Amalia, E., & Rini, R. (2024). Revamping tradition with tech: Guiding innovation in zakat for social good. Al-Risalah, 15(1), 18–40. https://doi.org/10.34005/alrisalah.v15i1.3497

49. Wiranatakusuma, D. B., & Habibullah, H. (2024). Analyses of relationship between economic growth and zakat distribution: Some comparative studies between Indonesia and Malaysia. Ekuilibrium: Jurnal Ilmiah Bidang Ilmu Ekonomi, 19(1), 18–41. https://doi.org/10.24269/ekuilibrium.v19i1.2024.pp18-41

50. Young Muslim generation’s preferences for using digital platforms for zakat payments: A cross-country study of Indonesia and Malaysia. (2024). Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 8(13), Article 5924. https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i13.5924

Downloads

Published

2026-06-13

How to Cite

Digital Divide in Zakat: A Comparative Study of E‑Zakat Systems, Trust, and Socio‑Economic Resilience in Malaysia and Indonesia. (2026). Journal of Socio-Economic Studies in Muslim Societies, 1(1), 01-24. https://doi.org/10.66277/jsm.1.1.314