SPs Theater Room UIN Jakarta, SPs NEWS: The Graduate School of Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta held the 2779th Thesis Exam at the SPs Theater Room of UIN Jakarta, on Thursday, August 7, 2025 with candidate Desy Tri Rahmawati.

Desy is a student of the Master of Islamic Studies study program with a concentration in Islamic Economics. Bader wrote a thesis entitled "The Effect of Productive Zakat Utilization on the Improvement of Micro Enterprises and Mustahik Religiosity in Marunda Rusunawa, North Jakarta (Study at BAZNAS DKI Jakarta Province)".

This thesis proves that the use of productive zakat not only succeeds in increasing micro businesses, but also positively and significantly affects the increase in the religiosity of zakat recipients (mustahik).

This study aims to identify in depth how the relationship between the utilization of productive zakat and the increase in micro businesses and its relationship with the religiosity of mustahik. This is an effort to look at the impact of zakat holistically, not only from the economic side, but also from the spiritual side.

Desy uses a quantitative approach with a survey method. Primary data was collected through the distribution of Likert scale questionnaires to mustahik in Marunda Flats, as well as direct interviews at the National Amil Zakat Agency (BAZNAS) of DKI Jakarta Province. Secondary data was obtained from a literature study and official information from BAZNAS DKI Jakarta Province.

Theoretically, this thesis argues that religious institutions such as BAZNAS have a strategic role in alleviating poverty. This argument is supported by the opinion of Rozalinda, who states that zakat can function as working capital for the poor to open a business, as well as the views of Ridho and Wasik who emphasize that spiritual guidance can prevent mustahik from getting used to begging and forming a soul that is ready to work.

The results of the study show very convincing figures. The utilization of productive zakat has a significant influence on the increase in micro businesses with a value of 0.593. This figure proves that the productive zakat program is really effective in helping mustahik build and develop their businesses, so that they are able to meet the needs of daily life.

This study also confirmed the positive and significant influence of productive zakat on increasing mustahik religiosity, with a value of 0.550. This finding confirms that the spiritual guidance that accompanies the giving of zakat has succeeded in making mustahik more religious, in accordance with the purpose of the guidance given.

Desy's findings are in line with several previous studies, such as those conducted by Alaydrus (2016), Alifah (2022), and Tanjung (2019) which also found a significant influence of productive zakat on micro businesses. In addition, the findings on increasing religiosity are also in line with the research of Nidityo (2014). However, this thesis is not in line with the research of Farid (2015) and Shobhah (2020), who previously stated that productive zakat does not affect mustahik micro businesses. These findings provide a new perspective that enriches the scientific discourse on zakat.

Desy Tri Rahmawati successfully defended her thesis under the guidance of Prof. Dr. M. Arief Mufraini, Lc., M.Si, and was tested in front of a board of examiners consisting of Prof. Dr. Yusuf Rahman, MA, Prof. Dr. M. Arief Mufraini, Lc., M.Si, Dr. Yuke Rahmawati, MA and Dr. Riris Aishah Prasetyowati, SE, MM.

After paying attention to the thesis writing, the comments of the examiner team and the candidate's answers, the examiner team determined that Desy Tri Rahmawati graduated with the title of Very Satisfactory. Desy Tri Rahmawati is the 2779th master in the field of Islamic Studies, in the master's program of the Graduate School of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta. (JA)