MEMBANGUN ZAKAT PRODUKTIF BERKELANJUTAN: SEBUAH REFLEKSI DAN PROYEKSI

Abstract

Poverty remains a major challenge in Indonesia despite the declining trend in poverty rates. Zakat plays an important role as an instrument for wealth distribution and poverty alleviation, particularly through productive zakat programs. This study aims to reflect on the current conditions and to project strategies for strengthening sustainable productive zakat, using a case study of BAZNAS Deli Serdang Regency. The research employed a descriptive qualitative approach with SWOT analysis. The findings indicate that productive zakat has strengths such as regulatory support, increasing zakat literacy, and opportunities for synergy with the national development agenda. Nevertheless, weaknesses remain, including limited coverage, low fund allocation, and insufficient business mentoring. The position of productive zakat falls into the aggressive strategy quadrant (S–O), meaning that the main strategies should focus on service digitalization, synergy with CSR programs, scaling up interventions, replicating successful models at the national level, and diversifying businesses based on local potential. With these strategies, productive zakat has the potential to serve as a sustainable instrument in transforming mustahik into economic self-reliance while supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)