Reconstructing Mustahiq Verification in Zakat Governance: ‘Amil Accountability, Shariah Compliance, and Distributive Justice
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18592/sjhp.v26i1.20602Keywords:
zakat governance; mustahiq verification; ‘amil accountability; distributive justice; maqasid al-ShariahAbstract
Digitalization has transformed zakat administration, yet inaccurate mustahiq identification remains a governance challenge due to fraudulent claims, incomplete disclosure, and inconsistent screening. Existing zakat scholarship emphasizes efficiency, transparency, accountability, and digitalization, but largely treats beneficiary verification as an operational procedure rather than a mechanism of delegated ‘amil authority and distributive justice. This study develops the Integrated Mustahiq Verification Governance Framework (IMVGF) by examining how verification can connect institutional authority, governance controls, Shariah compliance, and socioeconomic outcomes. Using normative-doctrinal legal research and qualitative content analysis, the study examines Islamic legal sources, Malaysian zakat governance materials, scholarly literature, and documented screening practices. The analysis identifies a seven-stage verification chain and four recurrent risk clusters concerning identity, documentation, household resources, and emergency claims. IMVGF conceptualizes verification as accountability infrastructure that operationalizes amanah, safeguards hifz al-mal, and strengthens distributive legitimacy. The framework recommends interoperable data verification, risk-based field investigation, reasoned committee decisions, appeal safeguards, and continuous ‘amil training.
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