BAZNAS: Corporate Zakat is a Spiritual and Social Investment with Real Impact

The National Zakat Agency (BAZNAS) has emphasised that corporate zakat is not merely a religious obligation, but also a spiritual and social investment capable of creating a real impact on community empowerment and supporting poverty alleviation in Indonesia. This affirmation was delivered during the National BAZNAS and DSN-MUI Gathering Talkshow titled ‘Anugerah Kepatuhan Zakat yang Berdampak’ held in Jakarta on Tuesday. Dr. H. Rizaludin Kurniawan, BAZNAS’s head of mobilisation and collection, stated that companies fulfilling their zakat obligations through BAZNAS would gain various benefits, both spiritual and in terms of corporate governance. He explained that companies would receive support from BAZNAS’s extensive network across Indonesia, blessings in their business operations, a reduction in taxable income in accordance with applicable regulations, enhanced corporate reputation through zakat compliance, and a broader social impact for the community. ‘Paying zakat through BAZNAS is not just about fulfilling a religious duty, but also being part of a social investment that provides sustainable benefits for both the company and society,’ Rizaludin said. He noted that the BAZNAS network, together with other Amil Zakat Institutions, is now present in nearly 700 districts and cities across Indonesia. Institutionally, BAZNAS has been established in 540 districts/cities and 30 provinces, giving it a significant capacity to manage and distribute zakat funds professionally. Rizaludin added that all of BAZNAS’s governance is carried out in accordance with statutory regulations and is integrated into the National Medium-Term Development Plan, while also supporting the President’s national priority programmes. To maintain public trust, BAZNAS’s fund management adheres to the ‘3 Aman’ principles: Aman Syar’i, Aman Regulasi, and Aman NKRI. In addition to oversight by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and law enforcement officials, the management of funds is regularly audited by an independent public accounting firm. ‘The various awards received by BAZNAS are proof that zakat management is carried out in a trustworthy, transparent, and professional manner,’ he stated. Rizaludin further noted that BAZNAS has achieved the number one Top Brand award for five consecutive years, received a Star 5 rating as the best Corporate Social Responsibility partner institution, and consistently been recognised for Customer Service Excellent over the past five years. During the event, Rizaludin also introduced a flexible corporate zakat collection scheme, including the formation of an official Zakat Collection Unit within a company. Through this mechanism, a company can manage up to 70 per cent of the zakat funds collected for distribution to mustahik within its internal environment and operational areas, in accordance with BAZNAS provisions. For companies that lack the human resources to form a Zakat Collection Unit, BAZNAS offers a Zakat Muqayyad scheme. Through this scheme, companies can still determine the specific programmes or sectors they wish to support through zakat distribution. ‘Companies still have the flexibility to determine the target of the programme so that the benefits of zakat can be felt more optimally,’ Rizaludin explained. Meanwhile, Adiwarman A. Karim, Vice Chairman of the National Sharia Board of the Indonesian Ulema Council, invited companies, particularly Islamic financial institutions and businesses, to channel their corporate zakat through BAZNAS. He argued that collective zakat collection would create a leveraging effect by pooling charity funds, thereby magnifying the benefits for the economic empowerment of the Muslim community. ‘For an individual, the amount of charity given may seem small. But when collected together, the value becomes very large and the benefits are much wider,’ Adiwarman said. Appreciation for BAZNAS’s performance was also voiced by Anita, Director of Maybank Asset Management. She described BAZNAS as a strategic partner with a transparent, professional, and accountable zakat management system. According to Anita, every stage from planning and programme implementation to monitoring and reporting is carried out systematically, allowing companies to track the progress and real impact of each programme. ‘BAZNAS is able to design programmes that align with a company’s social goals or Corporate Social Responsibility. Therefore, the collaboration built is not just about distributing funds, but truly creates a real social impact. We have felt the positive benefits of this collaboration,’ she said. Through this forum, BAZNAS hopes that more companies in Indonesia will make zakat a part of their sustainability strategy, so that the benefits of zakat can reach more mustahik and strengthen sustainable economic development for the community.