Islamic Philanthropy in Cyberspace: The Transformation of Zakat Practices through the Digitalization of BAZNAS RI

Abstract

This study examines the transformation of zakat practices in the context of Islamic philanthropy in the digital space by analyzing the official website of the National Zakat Agency (BAZNAS) of the Republic of Indonesia. Using a qualitative approach grounded in netnography and content analysis, this research aims to understand how digitalization not only provides a technology-based zakat payment channel but also shapes cultural constructions, religious representations, and patterns of philanthropic participation in cyberspace. Data was collected through digital observation, content documentation, and netnographic recording of website features. The study reveals three main findings. First, the BAZNAS website presents zakat as an instant transaction through features such as quick payment, zakat calculators, e-wallet integration, and direct action buttons, shifting the zakat ritual into a digital action mediated by technology. Second, the representation of zakat on the website emphasizes narratives of humanitarian solidarity based on public empathy rather than focusing on the fiqh obligation, signaling a shift in discourse from normative worship to social ethics and societal issues. Third, digitalization encourages the transformation of BAZNAS's role from a conventional zakat institution to a religious technology platform that functions as a donation aggregator, data center, and digital-based fund distributor. This study concludes that the digital space not only becomes a medium for zakat distribution but also an arena for producing religious meanings and new philanthropic practices. These findings open the door to further studies on the theological, ethical, and governance implications of zakat in the era of platformization.