Psychosocial and Behavioral Dimensions of Zakat in Malaysia: A Thematic Literature Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.19109/m17x4637Abstract
Zakat is a central pillar of the Islamic socio-economic system aimed at promoting social justice and human well-being. In Malaysia, zakat research has traditionally focused on institutional governance and distribution efficiency. However, recent studies increasingly explore the human impact of zakat, particularly from psychosocial and behavioral perspectives. This study synthesizes recent zakat research in Malaysia by examining the psychosocial and behavioral dimensions associated with zakat recipients, zakat payers, and zakat institutions. Using a qualitative literature review approach, this study analyzed 20 empirical and conceptual articles published between 2021 and 2025. Relevant studies were identified through database searches in Google Scholar, Scopus-indexed journals, and regional academic databases using keywords related to zakat, psychosocial well-being, zakat compliance behavior, and zakat institutions in Malaysia. The selected studies were screened for titles, abstracts, and full texts before being coded and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal four dominant themes in the literature: psychosocial well-being of zakat recipients (asnaf), psychological determinants of zakat payment behavior, counseling and psychosocial support within zakat institutions, and innovation in zakat distribution systems. The analysis shows that research on zakat payment compliance remains dominant, while studies examining psychosocial recovery and empowerment among zakat recipients remain limited. In addition, counseling-based interventions within zakat institutions are still rarely examined empirically. These findings suggest the need for more holistic zakat research that integrates economic, psychological, social, and spiritual perspectives. Future studies should explore intervention-based models and empowerment-oriented approaches to strengthen zakat's role in sustainable human development.
References
Abdul Rahman, R., & Nasir, N. M. (2023). Islamic counseling approaches in supporting asnaf development programs. International Journal of Zakat, 8(2), 45–58. Google scholar
Adnan, M. A. (2025). Financial well-being among asnaf students in Malaysian higher education institutions. AZKA International Journal of Zakat and Social Finance, 6(1), 33–49. Google scholar
Alam, M. M., Said, J., & Abd Aziz, M. A. (2021). Asnaf development outcome: A systematic literature review. SAGE Open, 11(3), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440251357982
Al-Qaradawi, Y. (2000). Fiqh al-zakah: A comparative study of zakah regulations and philosophy in the light of the Qur’an and Sunnah. Dar Al-Taqwa. Google scholar
Beck, A. T. (2011). Cognitive behavior therapy: Basics and beyond (2nd ed.). Guilford Press. Google scholar
Chapra, M. U. (2008). The Islamic vision of development in the light of maqasid al-Shariah. Islamic Research and Training Institute. Google scholar
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). Sage Publications. Google scholar
Esa, E., Yusof, M., & Hamid, N. A. (2025). Distribution strategies for asnaf gharimin in Lembaga Zakat Selangor (LZS). ARJHSS Journal, 8(10), 27–32. Google scholar
Hairunnizam, W., & Sanep, A. (2019). Pengurusan zakat di Malaysia: Isu dan cabaran semasa. Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Google scholar
Hamzah, H. (2023). Digital zakat payment adoption among Malaysian Muslims. Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research, 14(2), 210–225. Google scholar
Isa, Z., Ab Rahman, A., & Hassan, R. (2022). Determinants of zakat compliance behavior among Muslim taxpayers in Malaysia. International Journal of Zakat, 7(1), 21–34. Google scholar
Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, fast and slow. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Google scholar
Kasim, N., & Saad, R. A. J. (2021). Zakat distribution and poverty reduction: Evidence from Malaysia. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 14(8), 351. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm14080351
Kuran, T. (2010). The long divergence: How Islamic law held back the Middle East. Princeton University Press. Google scholar
Lembaga Zakat Selangor. (2025). Distribution strategies for asnaf gharimin. LZS Research Report. Google scholar
Mohamed, A. M., Rahman, S. A., & Yusoff, M. (2025). Zakat-supported food bank initiatives and community welfare outcomes. International Journal of Social Finance, 10(1), 55–69. Google scholar
Nordin, N. M., Salleh, M., & Ahmad, H. (2025). Psychological challenges among asnaf recipients in zakat assistance programs. Journal of Islamic Social Welfare, 4(2), 77–92. Google scholar
Qardhawi, Y. (2000). Fiqh az-zakah. Dar Al-Taqwa. Google scholar
Ryff, C. D. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57(6), 1069–1081. Google scholar
Sen, A. (1999). Development as freedom. Oxford University Press. Google scholar
Sulaiman, M., & Zakaria, M. (2021). Zakat management and socio-economic development in Muslim societies. Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research, 12(5), 657–672. Google scholar
Suyanto, B. (2021). Islamic philanthropy and poverty alleviation: Contemporary perspectives. Cogent Social Sciences, 7(1), 1878718. Google scholar
Usman, N., & Rahman, A. (2022). Zakat and social welfare systems in Muslim societies. Journal of Islamic Economics, 15(2), 121–135. Google scholar
World Bank. (2020). Poverty and shared prosperity 2020: Reversals of fortune. World Bank. Google scholar
Yusoff, M. B., & Dali, N. R. (2024). Empowering education among asnaf through zakat distribution in Malaysia. AZKA International Journal of Zakat and Social Finance, 5(2), 14–28. Google scholar
Zin, N. M., Ahmad, S., & Hamid, M. A. (2024). Zakat distribution in improving the well-being of asnaf: A conceptual review. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 8(3), 89–101. Google scholar
Zulkifli, M., & Abdullah, M. (2022). Analysis review on zakat aid distribution in Malaysia. Al-Qanatir: International Journal of Islamic Studies, 26(2), 45–60. Google scholar
Zulkifli, N., & Salleh, M. (2024). Empowering asnaf entrepreneurs through microcredit financing: A sustainable zakat framework. ResearchGate Working Paper. Google scholar
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Saffuan Abdullah, Hishamudin Salleh, Muhammad Rusdi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
