The Relationship Between Impact of Zakat Distribution and Religious Practice Among Muallaf in Selangor

Abstract

Purpose and problem of the study: This study to identify the level of impact of zakat distribution and the level of religious practice among the mualaf (convert) in Selangor. The aim is also to analyse the relationship between the level of impact of zakat distribution and the level of religious practice of mualaf in Selangor. The problem of the study is issues which related to the granting of zakat rights to Muslims and its impact on strengthening the faith of these groups and their appreciation of Islamic teachings.
 Methodology: This study applies quantitative methodology which involves 454 Muslim converts as respondents and they were randomly selected to get the data of this study.
 Main Findings: The descriptive analysis findings demonstrate that the level of impact of zakat distribution and the level of religious practice of mualaf in Selangor is at high level, where each has a mean value (4.20 and 4.63). The result of the Pearson correlation analysis proves that there is a significant relationship between the impact of the distribution (r = 0.643, p < 0.01) and religious practice (r = 0.677, p < 0.01). 
 Applications of this study: This study involves respondents from the mualaf group in Selangor. Selangor has chosen to be the area of study as the total number of muallaf registered in this state is greater than those in other states in Malaysia.
 Novelty/Originality of this study: The implementation of zakat distribution based on the principals and concepts dictated by Islamic law will give a great impact to the group of mualaf (convert).

Analyzing the impact of productive zakat on the welfare of zakat recipients

“…This result is shown by the decline in absolute, material and spiritual poverty indices (Kusuma and Ryandono, 2016; Lessy et al , 2020). Finally, Shaharuddin et al (2019) discovered that the distribution of zakat could enhance the welfare of muallafs (people who convert to Islam from another belief/religion), particularly spiritually.…”