From our partner’s expert Dr Muhammad Pisol Mat Isa, Lead Consultant Tawafuq Consultancy Sdn Bhd:

This study tries to examine the reaction of zakat contributors during the pandemic. Do they act as a responsibility or eligibility? If it is about responsibility, he or she might contribute the zakat in whatever situation. Then, for eligibility, it will be another result. Design/methodology/approach: This study utilises the descriptive research design, and precisely, the cross-sectional approach. A structured self-administered questionnaire was developed to analyse the influence of zakat awareness (zakat obligation and zakat nisab 1) on the zakat contribution during the Covid-19 pandemic. A total of 63 respondents took part in this preliminary study. Findings: Results revealed a none significant relationship between zakat awareness (zakat obligation and zakat nisab) and zakat contribution. The analysis implies that despite the pandemic, the majority of the zakat payers still pay their zakat, as usual, indicating the non-awareness of the zakat nisab preconditions Practical implications: Zakat contribution determines zakat allocation. A high zakat contribution benefits the zakat receiver. However, an unpredicted situation could cause the contributor eligibility to become ineligible, such as the Covid-19 pandemic. Originality/value: Research on zakat contribution during the pandemic still has a rare observation. Under the knowledge construct, this study put an item known as nisab (a minimum amount of wealth or possession). A previous study posits that a higher nisab leads to a lower zakat collection. Though, this study shows that the result is insignificant. Therefore, this study contributes to the awareness of zakat contribution without coercion, specifically during the Covid-19 pandemic.

To read more go to (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Azhan-Senawi-2/publication/356405996_The_Effect_of_Zakat_Awareness_on_Zakat_Contribution_during_Covid-19_Pandemic_A_Preliminary_Analysis/links/6198727507be5f31b79e5532/The-Effect-of-Zakat-Awareness-on-Zakat-Contribution-during-Covid-19-Pandemic-A-Preliminary-Analysis.pdf)