The existence of financial intermediation institution is quite necessary to support the economic activity. It serves both surplus unit and deficit unit to meet their wants whereby the former wants to invest his money in the lack of skill, while the latter wants to develop their businesses but does not have adequate capital. Bank institution is the most common institution serving the people‘s need of financial intermediation. However, bank has several weaknesses that may harm and hamper the economic development. This paper aims to explore the weaknesses of banks as financial intermediary institutions and then promote Islamic Private Equity Fund as alternative. The result showed that the weaknesses of banks are: 1) fractional reserve banking, 2) fiat money, 3) debt-based investment, 4) risk averse. Furthermore, the study also found that Islamic Private Equity Fund can serve as an ideal financial intermediary institution due to some strengths: 1) no fractional reserve banking, 2) equity-based investment and 3) risk taker.

Nowadays, the idea of integrating zakat into fiscal system has arisen in Muslim countries including Indonesia. It is argued that zakat, in history, has played a significant role to create welfare among societies. It is proven at the time of Caliph „Umar ibn „Abdul „Aziz that zakat has alleviated poverty at that time alongside tax. Having considered such achievement, some scholars argued that zakat should be reintegrated into current fiscal system. This paper, therefore, attempts to study the feasibility of integrating zakat into Indonesian fiscal system. Employing descriptive analysis based onSiyasahShar‘iyyah(high objectives of the Shariah). Therefore, the objectives of the study are set with these following points: 1) to address the strength and the weakness of the implementation of this idea, 2) to assess its opportunity aswell as its threat, 3) to examine whether the integration of zakat will secure maslahah(benefit) or create mafsadah(harm). The result shows that the integration of zakat into current fiscal system is in line with the SiyasahShar„iyyah. Hence, the strong willingness and commitment of government is strongly required to applicate it. The proper model of integration should also be planned well. Moreover, nurturing the understanding to all parties, especially to the non-Muslims and secularists, that this idea is really beneficial and not discriminatory should be promoted

This research aims at investigating the potential of Bait al-Māl wa Tamwil (BMT) in the development of border areas of Indonesia-Malaysia by prioritizing the welfare approach. Primary data was obtained through in-depth interviews with respondents from academics, practitioners, and regulators. The Analytic Network Process (ANP) method and Benefit Opportunity Cost Risk (BOCR) network are used to review the interview results. The results reveal that BMT is able to help the development of the border areas. Moreover, the aspects of benefit and opportunity in exploiting BMT is more significant than the cost and risk aspects. There are three alternative strategies to be implemented in order to maximize the benefits and opportunities and also minimize the costs and risks, namely the capital of third parties, linkage programs, and special regulations

Nowadays, the idea of integrating zakat into fiscal system has arisen in Muslim countries including Indonesia. It is argued that zakat, in history, has played a significant role to create welfare among societies. It is proven at the time of Caliph ‘Umar ibn ‘Abdul ‘Aziz that zakat has alleviated poverty at that time alongside tax. Having considered such achievement, some scholars argued that zakat should be reintegrated into current fiscal system. This paper, therefore, attempts to study the feasibility of integrating zakat into Indonesian fiscal system. Employing descriptive analysis based on SiyasahShar‘iyyah (high objectives of the Shari‘ah). Therefore, the objectives of the study are set with these following points: 1) to address the strength and the weakness of the implementation of this idea, 2) to assess its opportunity as well as its threat, 3) to examine whether the integration of zakat will secure maslahah (benefit) or create mafsadah (harm). The result shows that the integration of zakat into current fiscal system is in line with the SiyasahShar‘iyyah. Hence, the strong willingness and commitment of government is strongly required to apply it. The proper model of integration also should be planned well. Moreover, nurturing the understanding to all parties especially to the non-Muslims and secularists that this idea is really beneficial and not discriminatory should be promoted.

The purpose of this study is to compare the cost efficiency of takaful and its conventional insurance counterparts in Malaysia. The study measures the cost efficiency scores of takaful and conventional insurance companies in Malaysia over the period 2009-2011 using non-parametric Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) based on selected multiple input and output variables. Output variables used are gross premium and investment income while input variables are management expenses, fees and commission expenses. The study finds that conventional insurance companies in Malaysia performed better efficiency than takaful companies in 2011. The finding is consistent with study by Ismail, et al (2011) and Saad (2012). The study suggests that takaful and conventional insurance companies should allocate input more efficiently and improve the quality of services as the average scale efficiency is higher than the average of overall and technical efficiency. Takaful must also be more alert towards external factor costs as the scale of efficiency continuously decreased. In order to be more focused, the study only compares the efficiency of takaful and conventional insurance companies from an input oriented approach. The study is also limited to 7 takaful operators and 19 conventional insurance companies and, as such, the finding is most probably indicative, but does not reflect the overall performance of the takaful industry. As part of a policy recommendation, the study provides data on cost efficiency of conventional insurance and takaful companies in Malaysia, which is valuable for regulators in formulating appropriate policy to enhance the competitiveness of the takaful industry in Malaysia.

This study aims to compare the level of efficiency of zakat collection and distribution by Zakat Institution in Indonesia. It is hoped that this research can find out what factors affect inefficiencies in the process of collecting and distributing zakat by National Zakat Institution. This study is quantitative research using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) with output orientation. Financial statements of 8 zakat institutions during 2012-2018 were analyzed. In zakat collection the input variables are administrative and general expenses, amil fee, number of branches, and socialization cost while the output variable is zakat collected. In terms of zakat distribution process, the input variables are administrative and general expenses, amil fee and zakat collected against the output variable, zakat distributed. This study found that zakat collection has a higher efficiency score (72.32%) compared with zakat distribution (61.45%). Using potential improvement analysis, zakat institutions are adovacated to do more in zakat collection while handling inefficient socialization cost. In the same time, they should distribute more zakat funds while optimizing their staff/amil in zakat distribution.

The purpose of this study is to examine the relative efficiency of national zakat organizations in Indonesia. Data was collected from decision-making units (DMU) consisting of 14 national zakat institutions in Indonesia listed on the BAZNAS website and selected using purposive sampling technique. The information was derived from the DMU's publicly accessible financial reports. This study utilized the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) output-oriented approach to maximize output with the same level of input when analyzing the data. In selecting input variables, this study consulted previous research. In addition, it utilized Tobit regression based on the outcome of Maximum Likelihood (ML) to evaluate the determinants of the efficiency value (dependent variable) as the score ranges from 0 to 100. The result indicates that the efficiency of zakat institutions fluctuates slightly throughout the observation period. In addition, the significant efficiency determinants are size and community membership. Therefore, zakat organizations must maintain and increase their donors' loyalty. It is anticipated that the findings will contribute to the advancement of practice and knowledge regarding the study of zakat literature.

: The crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is more severe than other crises that have occurred before such as the crisis in 2008. This is because of the speed and scale it has created. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis on changes in the behavior of Muslims in Indonesia, namely accelerating the payment of zakat during the Covid-19 pandemic. The data used in this study is primary data, where data were collected through questionnaires to respondents who were selected purposively throughout the big islands of Indonesia and collected as many as 256 respondents. By using the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) Partial Least Square approach, it is found that several variables have an influence on the behavior of Muslims to accelerate paying zakat, including the Attitude variable and the Perceived Behavioral Control variable. However, it was found that the Subjective Norm variable was not proven to significantly influence the behavior of Indonesian Muslims to accelerate paying zakat during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The limitations of this study are that the sample that dominates is only from the island of Java and the age proportion of the respondents is dominated by millennials and generation z.

This paper aims to investigate the intention to accelerate zakat payment during COVID-19 pandemic among muslim youth. This study examines the Theory of Planned Behavior model. Partial Least Square Structural equation modeling (SEM-PLS) approach is used to test structural models and measurements. In the structural model, SEM-PLS was chosen because of its effectiveness in estimating direct and indirect effects in a model. In addition, although the sample size is relatively small and the SEM-PLS complex model can work efficiently. Online questionnaires were distributed to purposively selected respondents throughout Indonesia, which consists of all major islands. In total, there are 242 respondents collected. This study found that Attitude variable and the Perceived Behavioral Control variable affect the intention to accelerate zakat payment during the Covid 19 Pandemic among muslim youth. In addition, Subjective Norms variable is not significantly proven as the determinant. This study has limitations, namely the sample is representative of all islands in Indonesia, but the scattered sample is dominated by the island of Java.

The purpose of this study is to find out what are key elements of constraint, strategies and stakeholders and to construct some strategies that may help enhance the role of zakat in achieving SDGs. This study uses a mix method, combining Delphi method and Interpretative Structural Modeling (ISM) by conducting literature studies and In-depth interviews with experts, practitioners and academicians. In realizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it requires the greater role of Zakat as a financing instrument. Experts, practitioners and academicians agreed that Strategy to Enhance Zakat Role to Support Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires synergy between stakeholders. This is in line with 17th goal of SDGs, partnerships for the goals. In managing zakat, innovation is needed by utilizing fintech in zakat information system. The process of strengthening and monitoring zakat management must go through structured strategic steps to realize the acceleration of zakat management development. Researchers provided an analysis that BAZNAS and LAZ should collaborate with related parties to collect zakat such as fintech companies and coordinate with other institutions to distribute social funds to reduce overlapping distribution and to link programs or activities with SDGs.

Potensi Zakat, Infaq dan Shadaqah (ZIS) di Indonesia sangat besar dan diyakini dapat menciptakan keadilan distribusi kekayaan masyarakat. Sayangnya, dana ZIS yang berhasil dikumpulkan masih jauh dari potensi yang ada. Oleh karenanya dibutuhkan optimalisasi potensi zakat, salah satunya dengan efisiensi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui tingkat efisiensi Organisasi Pengelola Zakat (OPZ) secara relatif menggunakan Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) dengan pendekatan produksi. DEA merupakan metode nonparametrik yang digunakan untuk mengukur tingkat efisiensi unit pengambil keputusan secara relatif. Metode ini mengukur rasio antara output dan input yang diperbandingkan antar OPZ yang diteliti. Variabel output yang digunakan meliputi dana terhimpun dan dana tersalurkan, sedangkan input-nya adalah biaya personalia, biaya sosialisasi dan biaya operasional lainnya