PERANAN ZAKAT DALAM MENINGKATKAN KESEJAHTERAAN HIDUP ASNAF MELALUI PROGRAM PEMBANGUNAN KEUSAHAWANAN DI MALAYSIA: THE ROLE OF ZAKAT IN ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF ASNAF THROUGH ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES IN MALAYSIA - Mohd Aris, Noorfazreen; Habidin, Nurul Fadly; Muhammad, Fidlizan (INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND MANAGEMENT PRACTISES (IJEMP), 2026)
Malaysia telah mencatat kemajuan sosioekonomi yang signifikan sejak kemerdekaan, namun isu kemiskinan masih terus menjejaskan kesejahteraan hidup golongan asnaf. Dalam konteks ini, zakat berperanan sebagai mekanisme pembebasan daripada kemiskinan serta pemangkin pembangunan ekonomi melalui penyediaan bantuan kewangan, pendidikan, latihan kemahiran dan sokongan keusahawanan. Program pembangunan keusahawanan asnaf bukan sahaja berupaya meningkatkan pendapatan, malah turut menyumbang kepada kesejahteraan sosial, psikologi dan rohani peserta. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif deskriptif untuk menilai peranan zakat sebagai pemangkin kesejahteraan hidup asnaf melalui program pembangunan keusahawanan di Malaysia. Analisis tertumpu kepada elemen bantuan modal, latihan kemahiran, sokongan digital, model mentor-mentee serta penerapan nilai-nilai Islam. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan bahawa integrasi sokongan kewangan, latihan praktikal, bimbingan berterusan dan penerapan nilai Islamik secara bersepadu dapat meningkatkan kemandirian ekonomi dan kesejahteraan hidup peserta. Selain itu, kajian ini turut mengenal pasti cabaran pelaksanaan program serta mencadangkan penambahbaikan bagi memastikan keberkesanan dan kelestarian program pembangunan keusahawanan asnaf dalam jangka panjang. Malaysia has experienced significant socio-economic progress since independence; however, poverty continues to adversely affect the quality of life of asnaf (zakat recipients). In this context, zakat serves as a mechanism for poverty alleviation and a catalyst for economic development by providing financial assistance, education, skills training and entrepreneurial support. Asnaf entrepreneurial development programs not only enhance income levels but also contribute to participants’ social, psychological and spiritual well-being. This study adopts a descriptive qualitative approach to examine the role of zakat as a catalyst for improving the quality of life of asnaf through entrepreneurial development programmes in Malaysia. The analysis focuses on key elements including capital assistance, skills training, digital support, mentor–mentee models and the integration of Islamic values. The findings indicate that the integrated provision of financial support, practical training, continuous guidance and the application of Islamic values significantly enhances economic self-reliance and overall well-being among participants. In addition, the study identifies key implementation challenges and proposes programmatic improvements to ensure the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of asnaf entrepreneurial development initiatives.