Classical and Contemporary Fiqh Approaches to Re-Estimating the Zakat Potential in Indonesia

Abstract

This study aims to re-estimate the potential of zakat in Indonesia based on the

classical and contemporary fiqh approaches, as well as including optimistic and

realistic scenarios with different assumptions. Under the classical fiqh approach, the

potential amount of zakat was calculated based on the zakatable assets that have

been agreed upon by all scholars, including only zakat on savings. Meanwhile, using

the contemporary fiqh approach, the zakat potential was calculated based on a new

classification of zakatable assets agreed by contemporary scholars after considering the

issue of economic development, including professional (household) zakat, corporate

zakat and zakat on savings. The results show that, based on the classical fiqh approach,

the potential zakat amount is IDR 69.57 trillion, or equivalent to 0.56% of GDP under

the optimistic scenario, and it is IDR 13.26 trillion, or equivalent to 0.11% of GDP,

under the realistic scenario. Meanwhile, based on the contemporary fiqh approach, the

potential zakat amount is IDR 216.54 trillion, or equivalent to 1.75% of GDP, under the

optimistic scenario, and it is IDR 74.87 trillion, or equivalent to 0.60% of GDP, under

the realistic scenario. The estimated zakat potentials are still significantly higher than

actual zakat collection recorded. However, the results of classical approach under the

realistic scenario (0.11% of GDP) is the closest to the real 2018 zakat collection of 0.05%

of GDP, which could be the indication that most Indonesian Muslims follow classical

fiqh approach in calculating their zakat maal obligation.