MAKSIMALISASI PERANAN ZAKAT DALAM EKONOMI ISLAM

Zakat is one of the pillars of Islam, standing alongside the declaration of faith, prayer, fasting, and pilgrimage. Its purpose is to serve as a tool for income distribution between the wealthy and the poor. Zakat plays a crucial role in the economy of the community. Channeling zakat into productive ventures can have a positive impact on national development and potentially serve as a primary capital source among the economically disadvantaged. Within the framework of Islamic economics, zakat is considered a key pillar that reinforces fundamental values such as justice, balance, and equity. Zakat not only underscores the importance of the real sector in the economy but also emphasizes essential moral principles. As a vital instrument in building an economy based on morality and social welfare, zakat aligns with Islamic principles encompassing faith, productivity, reasoning, facilitation, and truth. This article aims to review the role of zakat as a religious injunction closely related to socio-economic contexts, using perspectives from the Qur'an and hadiths. The article employs a qualitative method with a literature or library research approach. The research findings explain zakat's role throughout history and its positive implications for the welfare of the community, especially for those who are zakat recipients (mustahiq).