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Zakat is a key instrument in the Islamic economic system, functioning as a mechanism for income redistribution and poverty alleviation. However, zakat management at the level of mosque-based Zakat Collection Units (Unit Pengumpul Zakat/UPZ) still faces significant challenges, particularly in terms of managerial capacity, administrative systems, and institutional governance. This community service project aims to optimize the collection and distribution of zakat through capacity building of the UPZ management at Al-Hidayah Mosque, Mandailing Natal. The study employed a participatory approach consisting of observation, joint planning, socialization, training, mentoring, and evaluation stages. Data were collected using observation, interviews, and structured questionnaires administered through pre-test and post-test to measure participants’ knowledge improvement. Data analysis was conducted using a descriptive comparative method to assess changes before and after the intervention. The results indicate a significant improvement in the managerial capacity of UPZ administrators, as reflected by an increase in the average score from 55% in the pre-test to 80% in the post-test. In addition, improvements were observed in zakat management practices, including the establishment of simple financial recording systems, the development of a structured database of donors (muzakki) and beneficiaries (mustahik), and enhanced transparency and accountability. Qualitatively, the program also fostered behavioral change among administrators, the emergence of local leadership, and increased public trust in the UPZ. This study concludes that participatory-based socialization, training, and mentoring are effective in strengthening institutional capacity and optimizing zakat management at the grassroots level. The findings highlight the importance of governance and capacity building in enhancing the effectiveness of community-based zakat institutions.

Zakat is a key instrument in the Islamic economic system, functioning as a mechanism for income redistribution and poverty alleviation. However, zakat management at the level of mosque-based Zakat Collection Units (Unit Pengumpul Zakat/UPZ) still faces significant challenges, particularly in terms of managerial capacity, administrative systems, and institutional governance. This community service project aims to optimize the collection and distribution of zakat through capacity building of the UPZ management at Al-Hidayah Mosque, Mandailing Natal. The study employed a participatory approach consisting of observation, joint planning, socialization, training, mentoring, and evaluation stages. Data were collected using observation, interviews, and structured questionnaires administered through pre-test and post-test to measure participants’ knowledge improvement. Data analysis was conducted using a descriptive comparative method to assess changes before and after the intervention. The results indicate a significant improvement in the managerial capacity of UPZ administrators, as reflected by an increase in the average score from 55% in the pre-test to 80% in the post-test. In addition, improvements were observed in zakat management practices, including the establishment of simple financial recording systems, the development of a structured database of donors (muzakki) and beneficiaries (mustahik), and enhanced transparency and accountability. Qualitatively, the program also fostered behavioral change among administrators, the emergence of local leadership, and increased public trust in the UPZ. This study concludes that participatory-based socialization, training, and mentoring are effective in strengthening institutional capacity and optimizing zakat management at the grassroots level. The findings highlight the importance of governance and capacity building in enhancing the effectiveness of community-based zakat institutions.

Poverty remains a fundamental problem rooted in Indonesia's socio-economic structure, despite various mitigation schemes implemented by the government. As the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia has enormous sharia-based public financial resources, where zakat should be positioned as a strategic means of wealth distribution. However, in reality, this instrument is often not optimally realised in national macroeconomic policy. This study aims to analyse Monzer Kahf's Islamic economic thinking on zakat and its relevance to poverty alleviation efforts in Indonesia. The research method used is qualitative with a library research approach through a systematic literature review of Monzer Kahf's fundamental works and various studies related to national zakat management, which are analysed descriptively and analytically to connect the theoretical framework with the socio-religious dynamics in Indonesia.  

This study examines the effectiveness of zakat distribution during the leadership of Umar bin Abdul Aziz and its relevance to poverty alleviation models in Indonesia. Structural poverty remains a persistent challenge in Indonesia’s economic development, requiring systematic and sustainable solutions. Within Islamic economic thought, zakat functions not only as a religious obligation but also as a fiscal instrument capable of promoting social welfare and economic independence. This research employs a qualitative approach through historical and literature study methods, analyzing classical Islamic governance practices alongside contemporary zakat management in Indonesia. The findings reveal that the success of zakat distribution under Umar bin Abdul Aziz was supported by centralized governance, strong institutional reform of Baitul Mal, strict supervision, and integrity-based leadership, resulting in effective wealth redistribution and significant poverty reduction. The study further finds that productive zakat distribution, institutional integration, regulatory reinforcement, and digital transparency are crucial elements for enhancing the performance of zakat institutions in Indonesia. The implications suggest that strengthening governance, accountability, and productive empowerment programs can transform zakat into a strategic socio-economic policy instrument capable of addressing structural poverty in a sustainable manner.

The background of this research is based on the enormous potential of zakat, infaq, shadaqah, and waqf (ZISWAF) as Islamic social finance instruments which, if managed optimally and sustainably, can play a significant role in reducing poverty and promoting comprehensive economic independence among communities amid the ongoing challenges of social inequality. The purpose of this study is to explain the strategic function of ZISWAF in strengthening the community’s economy while emphasizing the urgency of professional, transparent, and targeted management for the improvement of public welfare at large. The research method used was library research, evaluating various literature sources such as books, scientific journals, and relevant previous research reports. The collected data was then analyzed using a qualitative descriptive approach to provide an in-depth understanding of the mechanism of economic empowerment through ZISWAF. Research findings show that ZISWAF plays a crucial role in improving economic welfare through a paradigm shift from consumptive assistance to productive assistance programs. Management oriented towards sustainability and transparency has proven effective in promoting economic ind ependence among low-income communities and significantly reducing poverty rates. The implication of this study confirm that strengthening regulations, digitizing management, and improving public literacy regarding ZISWAF are essential. Management institutions must continue to improve their accountability in order to increase public trust, so that ZISWAF can become a key development in the future.