The institution of Zakah is instrument instituted by Islam to combat poverty and enhance welfare in the society. Zakah serves as a unique mechanism of compulsory transfers of income and wealth from the haves to the have-nots in the community. This paper seeks guidance from the verses of the Quran and develops a theoretical and workable model of Zakat-based Islamic microfinance institutions (MFIs), which can be used as an alternative approach to reduce poverty. The paper argues that charity-based Islamic MFIs will be financially and socially sustainable as based on the concepts of brotherhood, local philanthropy (decentralization), and volunteer services (joint liability). Zakat-based Islamic MFIs will provide and explore the money for consumption as well as productivity purposes and, thus, can broadly target the economic and social needs of the poorest of the poor. They can help minimize indebtedness and reduce unequal distribution of wealth in society, and also to enhance the ability of the poor to be more productive and not just be dependent of rich people