Optimizing ZIS for Social Welfare: Integrating Religious Values, State Policy, and the Role of Social Workers in Indonesia

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58524/smartsociety.v5i1.746

Keywords:

community empowerment, religious ethics, social policy, social work, zakat governance.

Abstract

Despite numerous welfare programs, poverty and inequality persist in Indonesia. Islamic philanthropic instruments such as Zakat, Infaq, and Sadaqah (ZIS) hold great potential to complement state efforts. However, their effectiveness is hindered by fragmented governance, low public trust, and the underutilization of professional social workers. This study aims to conceptualize an integrative model for optimizing ZIS by aligning Islamic values, public policy frameworks, and social work practices. Employing a descriptive qualitative approach through a thematic literature review, this study analyzed academic publications, legal documents, and institutional reports. Findings propose a triadic synergy model comprising Islamic ethical principles, a supportive regulatory environment, and professional social work engagement to enhance inclusive and accountable ZIS governance. The model underscores the importance of distributive justice and sustainable empowerment for marginalized communities. This conceptual framework offers a foundation for developing Islamic social policy and invites empirical validation across diverse regions in Indonesia.

Author Biography

  • Budi Rahman Hakim, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta
    Budi Rahman Hakim is a public intellectual, preacher, and author known for his contributions to Islamic thought and contemporary da'wah. He has been actively involved in Islamic education and public speaking, especially among youth communities. With a background in Islamic studies and media communication, he often integrates spiritual, philosophical, and cultural perspectives into his work. His approach is known to be reflective, contextual, and inspiring.

References

Agbenyo, F., Galaa, S. Z., & Abiiro, G. A. (2017). Challenges of the Targeting Approach to Social Protection: An assessment of the Ghana Livelihood Empowerment against Poverty Programme in the Wa Municipality of Ghana. Ghana Journal of Development Studies, 14(1), 19. https://doi.org/10.4314/gjds.v14i1.2

Achmad, N., Mahdum, M., Hosen, M. N., Noor, Z., Sakwan, S., Kurniawan, R., Chamdani, N., Sudrajat, A., Amin, K., Suminto, S., Hudori, M., Purwakananta, A., & Zayadi, A. (2022). Outlook Zakat Indonesia 2022. Puskas BAZNAS.

Ahmad, U. S. (2022). Zakat, Infak, Sedekah, Wakaf dalam Filantropi Islam. YASIN, 2(5), 749–761. https://doi.org/10.58578/yasin.v2i5.1048

Barron, G. C., Laryea-Adjei, G., Vike-Freiberga, V., Abubakar, I., Dakkak, H., Devakumar, D., Johnsson, A., Karabey, S., Labonté, R., Legido-Quigley, H., Lloyd-Sherlock, P., Olufadewa, I. I., Ray, H. C., Redlener, I., Redlener, K., Serageldin, I., Lima, N. T., Viana, V., Zappone, K., … Karadag, O. (2022). Safeguarding people living in vulnerable conditions in the COVID-19 era through universal health coverage and social protection. The Lancet Public Health, 7(1), e86–e92. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667(21)00235-8

Bergström, M., & Baviskar, S. (2024). Will the Intervention Benefit My Client? Helping Social Workers to Answer the Question Using Indicators of Clinically Meaningful Change. Clinical Social Work Journal. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-024-00970-x

Boone, K., Roets, G., & Roose, R. (2020). Enabling the recognition of people in poverty through social work practice. From being on a par to participating on a par. European Journal of Social Work, 23(5), 755–766. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691457.2019.1639626

Borchgrevink, K. (2020). NGOization of Islamic Charity: Claiming Legitimacy in Changing Institutional Contexts. VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 31(5), 1049–1062. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-017-9892-7

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Cociña, C., Frediani, A. A., Butcher, S., Levy, C., & Acuto, M. (2022). Editorial: Addressing urban inequalities: co-creating pathways through research and practice. Environment and Urbanization, 34(2), 269–277. https://doi.org/10.1177/09562478221117374

Creswell, J. W. (2007). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (2nd ed.). Sage Publications.

Dominelli, L. (2015). The opportunities and challenges of social work interventions in disaster situations. International Social Work, 58(5), 659–672. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020872815598353

Effendi, M. S., Halkam, H., Warnanti, A., Nugroho, M. I., & Firdaus, V. F. (2022). Peningkatan kapasitas organisasi nirlaba bagi unit pengelola zakat, infaq, dan sedekah (ZIS). Jurnal Bakti Masyarakat Indonesia, 5(3). https://doi.org/10.24912/jbmi.v5i3.23266

Fakhruddin, F., Hasan, S., Firdaus, D. H., & Hidayat, H. (2024). From Fiqh al-Ibadat to Muamalat: Repositioning Zakat Management in Indonesia in the Perspective of Maqāṣid Al-Sharī’ah. Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Dan Hukum Islam, 8(1), 495. https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v8i1.19637

Fatchurrahman, M., Lubaba, A., Agustina, A. Y., Larasati, P., & Saputri, P. L. (2024). Relevansi Sistem Akuntansi Zakat Pada Pengembangan Berkelanjutan Lembaga Amil Zakat di Indonesia. Journal of Accounting and Finance, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.31942/jafin.v3i1.10853

Fatmawati, F., Hakim, R., & Hakim, A. L. (2024). Zakat Literacy Improvement in Indonesia. Iqtishodia: Jurnal Ekonomi Syariah, 9(1), 22–31. https://doi.org/10.35897/iqtishodia.v9i1.1432

Fathoni, A. M., Suryani, S., & Nur Cahyo, E. (2020). Zakat Management Paradigm: Comparison of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia. INTERFENSI, Jurnal Penelitian Sosial Keagama, 14(2), 267–282. https://doi.org/10.18326/infsl3.v14i2

Fathonih, A. (2019). Zakat As an Alternative Revenue and Financing Resources for The State. AL-’ADALAH, 16(1), 115–134. https://doi.org/10.24042/adalah.v16i1.3891

Hijazi, H. H. (2023). Exploring Islamic social work. Between community and the common good Exploring Islamic social work. Between community and the common good, by Schmid, H. & Sheikhzadegan, A., Springer Nature, 2022, $49.99 (Softcover), Springer Cham, ISBN: 978-3-030-95882-4. Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work: Social Thought, 42(3), 389–390. https://doi.org/10.1080/15426432.2022.2164123

Hilmi, A., Janwari, Y., & Al-Hakim, S. (2023). Zakat Infaq and Sadaqah as a Modern Fiscal Instrument in Indonesia. MUAMALATUNA, 15(2), 184–204. https://doi.org/10.37035/mua.v15i2.9623

Holubenko, T., Ivzhenko, I., & Kuznetsova, O. (2024). Social Policy Regarding Veterans, People with Disabilities and Other Vulnerable Population Groups. Social Work and Education, 11(1), 110–124. https://doi.org/10.25128/2520-6230.24.1.9

John W. Creswell. (2007). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches.

Judijanto, L. (2024). Implementation of Zakat Law in Empowering the Islamic Community’s Economy in Indonesia. The Easta Journal Law and Human Rights, 2(03), 136–146. https://doi.org/10.58812/eslhr.v2i03.281

Kachkar, O. A., & Alfares, M. (2022). Islamic Social Finance: Integrating Zakah Funds in Microfinance and Microenterprise Support Programs. In Research Anthology on Microfinance Services and Roles in Social Progress (pp. 415–441). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-6684-7552-2.ch023

López-Peláez, A., Erro-Garcés, A., Aramendia-Muneta, M. E., & Ramírez Navarro, J. M. (2024). Social work, solidarity economy and decent work. International Social Work, 67(6), 1429–1434. https://doi.org/10.1177/00208728231185998

López-Peláez, A., Kalenda Vávrová, S., Gojová, A., Erro-Garcés, A., & Acebes Valentín, R. (2024). Digital social work. International Social Work. https://doi.org/10.1177/00208728241267804

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(01), 15. https://doi.org/10.47312/aifer.v5i01.370

Meydan, C. H., & Akkaş, H. (2024). The Role of Triangulation in Qualitative Research (pp. 101–132). https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-3306-8.ch006

Muchtar, T. F. Z., & Widiastuti, T. (2022). Analysis of Factors Affecting Zakat Collection: Evidence from Four ASEAN Countries. Jurnal Ekonomi Syariah Teori Dan Terapan, 9(5), 658–671. https://doi.org/10.20473/vol9iss20225pp658-671

Notonegoro, N. (2023). Islamic Study with An Integrative-Interdisplinary Approach. Proceeding of Saizu International Conference on Transdisciplinary Religious Studies, 210–220. https://doi.org/10.24090/icontrees.2023.340

Pawar, M. (2023). Poverty, Policy and the Poor. The International Journal of Community and Social Development, 5(2), 137–145. https://doi.org/10.1177/25166026231179075

Rahmadhanis, A. R., Pitaloka, S. W., Amrullah, M. F. I., & Hanesti, E. M. (2024). Implementasi islamic good corporate governance dalam pengelolaan zis di baznas kabupaten gresik. JEB17: Jurnal Ekonomi Dan Bisnis, 9(01), 33–48. https://doi.org/10.30996/jeb17.v9i01.10239

Razak, S. H. A. (2020). Zakat and waqf as instrument of Islamic wealth in poverty alleviation and redistribution. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 40(3/4), 249–266. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSSP-11-2018-0208

Scarinci, I. C., & Dionne, J. A. (2022). Foreword. Ethnicity & Disease, 32(4), 265–268. https://doi.org/10.18865/ed.32.4.265

Sulimani-Aidan, Y., Ravid, M., & Elias, H. (2024). Using a strength-based approach to social work with minority groups: The case of at-risk young-adult Arabs in Israel. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 94(5), 582–590. https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000746

Syamsuri, Perdi, P. F. R., & Aris Stianto. (2020). Potensi Wakaf di Indonesia (Kontribusi Wakaf dalam Mengurangi Kemiskinan). MALIA, 12(1), 79–94. https://doi.org/10.35891/ml.v12i1.1939

Widiastuti, T., Robani, A., Sukmaningrum, P. S., Mawardi, I., Ningsih, S., Herianingrum, S., & Al-Mustofa, M. U. (2022). Integrating sustainable Islamic social finance: An Analytical Network Process using the Benefit Opportunity Cost Risk (ANP BOCR) framework: The case of Indonesia. PLOS ONE, 17(5), e0269039. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0269039

Downloads

Published

2025-06-30