Baznas Affirms Desil 1-4 Residents Not Automatically Zakat Recipients

JAKARTA — Deputy Chairman of the National Zakat Agency (Baznas) RI, Zainut Tauhid Sa’adi, has affirmed that welfare ranking data based on desil categories can help Baznas map potential zakat recipients. However, he stressed that people in Desil one to four are not automatically classified as mustahik or zakat recipients.

According to Zainut, the use of desil data sourced from the government, such as the National Socio-Economic Single Data (DTSEN), can serve as an initial basis for Baznas in mapping the socio-economic conditions of the population.

“The use of a desil-based welfare ranking system (Desil 1–10) from government data (such as Regsosek or Integrated Data) in principle greatly helps and refreshes the initial database for Baznas,” Zainut said when contacted by Republika on Saturday (15/8/2026).

He said the system can facilitate the mapping of socio-economic profiles of the population nationally. As such, zakat programme interventions can be carried out in a more measurable and targeted manner.

Nevertheless, Zainut cautioned that desil data cannot be used as the sole basis for determining someone as a zakat recipient. He emphasised that zakat distribution is governed by specific Islamic legal provisions that regulate the groups eligible to receive zakat.

“Regarding the question of whether residents in Desil one to four automatically become zakat recipients (mustahik), the answer is no, not automatically. Desil data is an initial indicator; Islamic law is the primary determinant,” he said.