The development of zakah management in Bangladesh in light of the Malaysian E-Zakah management system

Abstract

This study explores the main barriers and obstacles influencing the proper development of zakah management in Bangladesh. It demonstrated that the existing zakah management in Bangladesh is woefully inadequate regarding the extensive collection and equitable distribution of zakah by the government and a few private zakah organisations. Gaining encouragement from the Malaysian e- zakah application, the study proposed significant initiatives to adapt the e- zakah system in Bangladesh to utilise zakah funds in a digitalised systemic strategy through the formation of a dedicated website for e- zakah application. To achieve its research objectives, the study employs exploratory and analytical approaches to analyse the collected data. The qualitative method involves in-depth fieldwork interviews with four zakah experts to assess their perspectives on the zakah management processes in Bangladesh and Malaysia, complemented by library research. The main findings of the study highlighted several complications that impede the establishment of an impactful zakah management system in the country. These include a severe knowledge gap of the zakah concept, a lack of motivation to pay zakah accurately, insufficient awareness and ignorance, incompetent zakah collectors, the absence of digital applications in zakah operation, a general unfamiliarity with digital systems, digital illiteracy, and the lack of centralised monitoring authority. In response to these findings and envisioning significant development in zakah fund management, the study concludes with a targeted recommendation to overcome the identified issues by largely incorporating and developing a comprehensive digital literacy program designed for zakah contributors, beneficiaries, and administrators. This extensive program would eventually aim to bridge the knowledge gap and enhance the digital capabilities necessary for the successful implementation of an e- zakah system. Lastly, the study also provides a roadmap for future research scope to optimise the proper zakah fund man