Ranking zakat recipients at ZAWAF UiTM Perlis using Fuzzy TOPSIS

In today’s challenging economic climate, the demand for financial assistance such as zakat has significantly increased. Yet, many eligible individuals remain unaware of the aid available to them or are overlooked due to unclear or inconsistent selection processes. Recognizing this gap, this study proposes a systematic approach to enhance zakat distribution by objectively ranking recipients. The fair and efficient distribution of zakat plays a crucial role in addressing poverty and financial inequality. However, the process of selecting eligible zakat recipients often relies on subjective judgment, which can result in bias and inconsistency. To overcome this, the Fuzzy TOPSIS method was applied to evaluate and rank zakat recipients at ZAWAF UiTM Perlis based on three criteria such as income level, sponsorship, and the number of dependents in the family. A total of 22 recipients were assessed using fuzzy linguistic scales to measure both the importance of each criterion and the performance of each recipient. The findings revealed that income level was the most influential factor with a closeness coefficient (CC) value of 0.55784 indicating the strongest. These results show that the Fuzzy TOPSIS method is useful in making the zakat distribution process fair and transparent. It helps reduce bias and personal judgment by using clear data to make decisions. This study helps improve how zakat is given to those who really need it and can be used as a guide by zakat institutions and policymakers to create a more organized, fair, and trustworthy system for giving financial aid.