Determinants of Private Zakat Payment: A Study in Johor Bahru District, Johor

Abstract

In general, the collection and distribution of zakat fall under the responsibility and authority of the government. Efficient and effective zakat management contributes to improving the nation’s socioeconomic status, ensuring the well-being of the Muslim community, and reducing poverty. In the state of Johor, although the Johor State Islamic Religious Council (MAINJ) is the authorized body responsible for zakat collection and distribution, there remain zakat payers that make zakat payments privately, viz., directly to the asnaf rather than through officially recognized zakat institutions. This study aims to analyse analyse the factors that influence the private payment of zakat. The research was conducted in the Johor Bahru district, covering the mukim of Jelutong, Plentong, Pulai, Sungai Tiram, Tebrau, and the Johor Bahru urban area. The findings indicate that, in addition to paying zakat through MAINJ, some zakat payers also make direct individual payments to the asnaf, with one of the contributing factors being their level of knowledge concerning state zakat fatwas.