The public perception on problems of zakat distribution in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah / Mohd Hafizuddin Wahab ... [et al.]

Basically, Islam comes with the two divisions of pillars and fundamental of Islam which
are the Islamic pillars and the pillars of faith. Zakat is one of the Islamic fundamental
which had been described in holy Quran, for example in Surah Al Baqarah: verse 43 "And
establish prayer and give zakah and bow with those who bow [in worship and
obedience]". (Noble Quran)
Moreover, zakat can be described through (Qardahawi, 2000) means to growth
and increase. Furthermore, zakat also can be viewed in three distinct connotations which
are based on linguistically, theologically and legally. Based on linguistically. Zakat can be
defined as purification or cleansing of something from filth. Whereas, based on
theologically view it means the spiritual purification resulting from giving of zakat and
for legally it be described transferring of the ownership of specific individuals based on
the specific conditions. Thus, it show that every single Muslims have an obligation to
pe1form that kind of the pillar which using the principle of the welfare that determine
every of human especially Muslims need to give a specific amount of the wealth that they
have based on the calculation following the certain requirements and conditions to the
eligible parties or beneficiaries as the responsible the servants of Almighty god, Allah (fisabilillah) which called in Arabic term was (al-mustahiqqin) that the main objective was
the achievement of socio-economic justice (Muhammad. 1980).
Zakat is one of the alternative and initiative from the government that can be used for
social aid in order to eradicate poverty especially in Malaysia because the rate of poverty
in Malaysia haven't solving, according to Department of Statistics in Malaysia, poverty rate in this country was at 1.7% on 2012 while the estimation on 2015 prime minister
Dato' Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak under his plan estimate that Malaysia has zero rate of
poverty. although it's not easy on it implementation. Despite on that, zakat will be one of
the method or initiatives that to achieve the socio-economic justice. Hence, this research
objective basically will highlight about the problems that are occurring in zakat
distribution especially in Kota Kinabalu. Sabah.
According to (Smith, 1992), initially, therefore, he also described that correlation
between the efficiency and effectiveness in the organization status. Thus, in the context of
zakat, our research is more on problems that occur in zakat distribution. Basically the
problem that we must to identify in order to keep the efficiency and effectiveness of zakat
distribution can be done. As we can see, efficiency is basically comes from the top and it
might has wider view by perceiving by managerial process once it has been designed and
planned. Therefore, effectiveness is most important but efficiency more about constantly
strives for doing the right actions, if we observe in the context of zakat. zakat distribution
is like a shadow behind the mirror because it seem like everyone try to argue about the
distribution because they are the zakat payers. Despite on that, there must be a problem
behind it to be identified in order for zakat enhancing the social welfare such as in
eradication of poverty status whilst taking consideration based on what had already stated
by the god, Allah by the requirement of shari'ah. Due to that, zakat institution is one of
the most important institutions in our country, Malaysia, thus it needs to be more
highlighted as a crucial studies for ensuring the achievement on social justice in order to
eradicate poverty especially in Sabah. This study will be looked into the deep on what the
problem occur in zakat institution in plays their roles for socio-economic justice.