Zakat as a Social Welfare Architecture: A Path Toward Economic Justice in the Era of Global Inequality

Abstract

The persistent challenge of global economic inequality has prompted scholars to explore alternative mechanisms for wealth distribution beyond conventional fiscal policies. Zakat, as an Islamic financial obligation, has emerged as a potential instrument to promote social welfare and economic justice. This study aims to examine the role of zakat as a system of social welfare architecture capable of addressing poverty and reducing inequality in the contemporary global context. Employing a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) with the PRISMA framework, this research reviewed 527 initial articles published between 2016 and 2025, which were filtered through rigorous screening and eligibility processes, leaving 24 articles for in-depth analysis. The findings indicate that zakat contributes significantly to poverty alleviation, income redistribution, and empowerment of marginalized groups, particularly when managed through strong institutional governance, productive utilization, and integration with digital platforms. Furthermore, zakat demonstrates potential as a complementary tool to state welfare systems, offering both economic and spiritual dimensions of development. However, the analysis also reveals gaps in standardization, regional disparities in implementation, and limited global coordination. This study concludes that zakat, when optimized through evidence-based strategies, can serve as an alternative model for achieving equitable economic growth and addressing the challenges of global inequality.