PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES OF ZAKAT IMPLEMENTATION AND ITS MANAGEMENT TO REDUCE ECONOMIC GAP

Abstract: Zakat is the shariah or the rule of Allah SWT. which are universal, conceptual and ideal. The idealism of zakat rules is to create a prosperous, just and equitable society. Conditions like this will certainly make the members of the community feel safe, comfortable, and orderly. Although the command of zakat is mentioned in the Qur'an and the hadith of the Prophet SAW and reinforced by government regulations, but in reality there are still many Muslims who neglect this noble obligation. Economic gap is still strongly felt in people's lives. The number of Indonesians who have income below the poverty line is about 27.77 million people. In fact, the potential of zakat in Indonesia shows a very fantastic figure. National Amil Zakat Agency (BAZNAS) and IPB in research in 2012 stated that the national zakat potential is estimated to reach Rp 217 trillion per year. However, the report of zakat receipts in 2011 by zakat management institutions in Indonesia, namely BAZNAS, BAZ Regional and Lembaga Amil Zakat (LAZ) only collected Rp. 1.8 Trillion. Among the issues that impede the implementation and management of zakat are the understanding and awareness of the people about zakat, the rigid understanding of amilin about zakat and their lack of competence and professionalism, low public trust in zakat institutions, traditional and improper distribution of zakat, lack of technological support and information systems, and the mental attitude of the mustahik