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ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT

Article history:

Received XX Month 2024

Revised XX Month 2024

Accepted XX Month 2024

Online first

Published 1 September 2024

 Zakat is mentioned in the Quran as a form of worship that helps purify the hearts of Muslims. Technology, which evolves over time, can be adapted to make the zakat management process more efficient and easier. Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) as a public higher education institution that provides zakat services to students, can improve the quality of zakat processing with more openness and transparency through the use of notification technology. This is because the zakat application process requires several steps and takes a considerable amount of time. Currently, zakat applicants cannot receive up-to-date information and status on their applications. Additionally, the services of the Zakat, Sadaqah and Waqf Unit (ZAWAF) are less effective in disseminating related information. For these reasons, this paper has studied the zakat application process at ZAWAF and developed a web application system for zakat applications. This developed system includes email notifications as a medium for informing stakeholders based on the stages of the zakat application process. UAT (User Acceptance Testing) on 30 applicants was conducted while they used the system. The UAT was based on the email notification feature in the main zakat application process. The results of this study found that the online zakat application process becomes very effective when accompanied by real-time notifications.

Keywords:

asnaf

notification

web application

zakat

DOI:

10.24191/jcrinn.v9i2
# INTRODUCTION The term "zakat" originates from the Arabic word "zakaa," which means clean and pure (Asni, 2022). Ibn Manzur (1990) elaborates that zakat encompasses the notions of cleanliness, growth, blessings, and praise. Allah SWT elucidates the essence of zakat in the Qur'an: "Truly, blessed is the one who purifies the soul" (al-Syams: 9). This verse indicates that zakat aims to cleanse property of any mix with the rights of others, purify the human soul from greed and envy, and foster a benevolent attitude towards others. In Islamic terms, zakat is a specified portion of wealth distributed under particular conditions to designated groups. However, it is also sometimes referred to as a tax (ASNAF). Since the time of Rasulullah SAW, there have been numerous efforts by Muslims to enhance the administration of zakat, ensuring the objectives and purposes of zakat legislation are fully realized (Asni, 2022). Universiti Teknologi MARA (UITM) is among Malaysia's largest universities, with a significant number of Muslim students, including those from the B40 group whose family income is below RM4000 per month. These students often face challenges in meeting their families' needs. Acknowledging this, UITM provides zakat and sadaqah allowances to them based on their semester of study. These initiatives are managed by the UITM Center for Zakat, Sadaqah, and Waqf (ZAWAF) and aim to alleviate the financial burdens of B40 students (Qadri & Bhatti, 2021). However, awareness among students regarding ZAWAF and their understanding of zakat distribution to those in need remains very low. The advent of digital media has transformed how we interact, reducing the need for face-to-face communication. Today, people's presence is largely established through virtual platforms via devices like cell phones, laptops, and iPads, which enable global connectivity. Online meetings have facilitated easier and more enjoyable interactions. For instance, social media now plays a pivotal role in spreading beneficial information, reaching more people online than through traditional in-person interactions (Khalis, Omar, Kasim, Hamid, and Zainal, 2022). This shift in communication is effective not only for social networking but also for disseminating information swiftly to wide audiences. A significant issue among zakat applicants at UiTM is the lack of updates regarding the opening dates for zakat applications, the status of their applications, and when the zakat funds have been deposited. Therefore, this research aims to analyze the zakat application process at UiTM and identify areas in the management that require immediate attention to enhance communication between applicants and the ZAWAF office. # DEVELOPMENT OF Electronic Zakat Management System The popularity of zakat funds among Muslims is rooted in their capacity to uplift the poor and improve their standard of living. However, inequities in the distribution of these funds often arise, highlighting the necessity for zakat organizations to possess robust resources and effective management systems. A well-managed zakat institution is crucial for ensuring that zakat contributions are allocated efficiently and fulfil their intended purposes (Adiwijaya & Suprianto, 2020). Web development, also known as "website development," encompasses the process of designing, building, and maintaining websites and web applications accessible online through web browsers. This process can also include database management, web design, and web programming. The design and development of mobile app features and functionalities are like those involved in building websites. Generally, "development" refers to the programming aspect of these processes. The primary tools utilized in web development are HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), and JavaScript. These languages form the foundation of web development, but various other programs assist in managing and constructing websites more efficiently. These tools eliminate the need to write extensive code from scratch for common tasks. Content Management Systems (CMS) such as WordPress, Drupal, TYPO3, and Adobe Experience Manager play a crucial role in this context. These systems streamline the development process by providing pre-built functionalities and templates, allowing developers to focus on customization and advanced features rather than foundational coding (BrainStation, 2022). By leveraging these tools and systems, web developers can create robust, dynamic, and user-friendly web applications that meet diverse needs and preferences. Digital computers connected to a network facilitate the exchange of electronic mail (e-mail), a versatile communication method enabling the transmission of text, graphics, sounds, and animated images between networked computers. Most public internet and bulletin board systems provide email services, often maintaining global communication networks at minimal or no cost (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2023). PHPMailer is a versatile code library designed for integration into web servers, enabling PHP applications to send emails securely and efficiently. It provides a robust environment for setting up SMTP standards and addresses security vulnerabilities such as mail injection and spam concerns. Despite the availability of numerous PHP libraries, PHPMailer stands out as one of the most widely utilized options. Initially introduced in the early 2000s, it has become a standard choice among PHP developers for email functionality. The following *PHPMailer* example demonstrates an alternative approach to sending emails without relying on the *mail()* function. Overall, *PHPMailer* serves as a more flexible and frequently adopted replacement for the limited capabilities of the *mail()* function (Khan, 2021). # METHODOLOGY A zakat application system using email notification has been developed based on ZAWAF activities. This system serves several stakeholders: students applying for zakat, ZAWAF administrators who endorse applications, and interviewers who conduct applicant interviews. The process begins with students submitting zakat applications through the system. Once received, interviews are conducted with applicants. Following the interview, ZAWAF administrators review the interview results and endorse deserving applicants. Upon endorsement, the system releases the zakat application results. Successful applicants are notified via email about their application status. Finally, arrangements are made through the system to deposit zakat funds directly to the accounts of successful students. User Acceptance Testing (UAT) has been instrumental in thoroughly testing the zakat system to ensure its functionality and reliability align with stakeholder expectations. UAT has been effectively verified that all functional requirements, such as application submission, interview scheduling, endorsement processes, and result notifications, were implemented correctly and meet stakeholder needs. It also focused on evaluating the system’s usability and user experience. It involved zakat applicants, ZAWAF administrators, and interviewers performing tasks within the system to ensure it was intuitive and easy to navigate. In this testing, 30 respondents have been involved. # RESULT AND analysis > Following the UAT conducted on the system, it was found that the system achieves an overall recognition rate of 95 percent. Details of the outcomes are outlined in Table 1. > > **Table 1: Results of UAT.**

Task instructions

Observation
Admin can register and login the account Succeeded
Interviewer able to login the account Succeeded
Student can register and login the account Succeeded
Student can create new application then submit Succeeded
Admin able to receive new application Succeeded
Admin able to accept and proceed the application to interviewer Succeeded
Interviewers receive the application Succeeded
Interviewer able to fill interview form Succeeded
Student can view the application status Succeeded
Admin can determine the application Succeeded
Student can receive notification through email Succeeded
User able to view account information Not (only admin and interviewer)
All users can logout the account Succeeded
# # # conclusion and recommendation Based on the related article discussing the Zakat system utilizing email notifications within ZAWAF for student applications, the User Acceptance Testing (UAT) results play a crucial role in evaluating system performance. The UAT confirms that the system effectively handles tasks like application submission, interview scheduling, and result notifications via email. It assesses how intuitive and user-friendly the system is for zakat applicants, ZAWAF administrators, and interviewers. It also tests the integration of email notifications with application status updates and fund disbursement processes. Based on the UAT results, the zakat system using email notifications in ZAWAF demonstrates a robust performance in facilitating zakat applications. With a high recognition rate and efficient handling of application processes, the system enhances transparency, efficiency, and user satisfaction. Feedback from UAT participants underscores the system’s effectiveness in meeting stakeholder needs, suggesting it is well-prepared for operational deployment within ZAWAF's framework. Ongoing monitoring and feedback integration will further refine the system, ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with organizational goals. # Acknowledgements/Funding (DOUBLE-BLIND reviewing. Leave the section as is. Only include Acknowledgements text in the final submission paper) This section is compulsory. The following is an example of an acknowledgement statement: The authors would like to acknowledge the support of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Cawangan Negeri Sembilan, Kampus Kuala Pilah and Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia for providing the facilities and financial support on this research. # Conflict of interest statement (DOUBLE-BLIND reviewing. Leave the section as is. Only include CONFLICT OF INTERESTS text in the final submission paper) # This section is compulsory. The following is an example of a conflict-of-interest statement: The authors agree that this research was conducted in the absence of any self-benefits, commercial or financial conflicts and declare the absence of conflicting interests with the funders. # Authors’ contributions Each author contribution must be stated clearly reflecting each contribution to the body of the work and manuscript. Authors can refer to [CRediT](http://credit.niso.org/) (Contribution Roles Taxonomy) for the detailed information about individual contributions to the work. For example ***(Double Blind Review: Leave this section blank until final camera-ready submission)*:** **Anis Muneerah Shaiful Bahari**: Conceptualisation, methodology, formal analysis, investigation and writing-original draft; **Nurhaswani Alias**: Conceptualisation, methodology, and formal analysis; **Zainovia Lockman**: Conceptualisation, formal analysis, and validation; **Haslina Misran**: Conceptualisation, supervision, writing- review and editing, and validation. # References Adiwijaya, Z., Alim, Z., & Suprianto, E. (2020, April). Good governance of zakat institutions: A literature review. Journal of Southwest Jiaotong University, 55(2). Retrieved July 8, 2022, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350081470\_Good\_Governance\_of\_Zakat\_Institutions\_A\_Literature\_Review/fulltext/60500a76a6fdccbfeae1ca20/Good-Governance-of-Zakat-Institutions-A-Literature-Review.pdf Asni, F. (2021, December). Management of zakat collection and distribution by MAIPS during COVID-19 in Perlis: A literature review. Retrieved July 9, 2022, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/356913490\_MANAGEMENT\_OF\_ZAKAT\_COLLECTION\_AND\_DISTRIBUTION\_BY\_MAIPS\_DURING\_COVID-19\_IN\_PERLIS\_A\_LITERATURE\_REVIEW BrainStation®. (2022, December 20). What is web development? (2023 guide). BrainStation®. Retrieved January 31, 2023, from https://brainstation.io/career-guides/what-is-web-development Chris, K. (2021, August 30). What is PHP? The PHP programming language meaning explained. freeCodeCamp.org. Retrieved July 5, 2022, from https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/what-is-php-the-php-programming-language-meaning-explained/ Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. (2023, January 9). E-mail. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/technology/e-mail Hussain, M., Ishaq, M., & Qadri, B. (2021, August 11). Contemporary issues in Islamic social finance. Taylor & Francis. Retrieved from https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003050209-1/contemporary-issues-islamic-social-finance-hussain-qadri-ishaq-bhatti Khalis, F. M., Omar, W. N. F. W., Kasim, K., Hamid, O. A., & Zainal, H. (2022, March 25). Digital media as an effective platform for zakat Kedah state information source. EUDL.

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