Evolving Zakat: A Systematic Review of Financial Technology’s Impact

Abstract

This study conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) on the intersection of zakat and financial technology (fintech), mapping the evolution of research and identifying key trends in the field. By utilizing bibliometric analysis, the study explores the development of zakat and fintech research over time, highlights major contributions to the literature, and examines the collaborative relationships between researchers and institutions. A total of 133 relevant articles were analyzed using VOSviewer to perform co-occurrence and citation analyses. The results show that the integration of zakat and fintech is largely interdisciplinary, with dominant themes in business, finance, computer science, and accounting. Emerging keywords such as financial systems, accountability, and engineering management indicate a growing interest in the operational and ethical dimensions of fintech in zakat management. The citation analysis further reveals influential authors and documents shaping current discussions, though limited connectivity between research groups suggests the need for greater collaboration. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the zakat-fintech literature, offering insights for future research directions, particularly in enhancing collaboration and thematic integration to address the socio-economic challenges in the Islamic financial ecosystem. The study also underscores the potential of fintech in advancing zakat's role in poverty alleviation and financial inclusion, contributing to the broader goals of sustainable development.