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This study demonstrates literately the importance of regional (urban-rural) differences and the impact of zakat distribution towards the poverty alleviations among asnaf Muallaf. This study was motivated by the monthly official zakat distribution towards asnaf Muallaf that did not differentiate the true urban-rural cost of living differences. Differences in urban and rural poverty lines that did not reflect the actual urban-rural cost of living differences will provide a misleading picture of the distributional impact of development, which usually involves urban sector expansion. In a dualistic economy, one of the ways the poor benefit from development is through expansion of job opportunities in the modern predominantly urban sector, in addition to increases in productivity in the traditional predominantly rural sector. Thus, this study aims to identify the dispersal of Muallaf in terms of urban-rural poverty that involved in allocation of zakat distribution. In defining poverty between urban and rural areas, therefore, one should ensure the differences in the cost of living between these two areas. The finding suggest that, a huge of amount of zakat been allocated to the development of asnaf Muallaf in the state of Selangor especially in urban area. However, most of zakat distribution on Muallaf goes to urban region which higher in cost of living without considering a set of prices including a broader bundle of goods and services representative of the purchases of consumers in different region.

Zakat is one of the pillars of Islam that emphasises the socio-economic development. Any discussion on zakat in the context of worship cannot be disconnected from the socio-economic factor, especially in aiding the underprivileged.  The primary purpose of zakat is to redistribute wealth of the society among the poor. Zakat is not purely welfare-oriented that relies on the contribution of the giver but an obligation that must be carried out to qualified recipients. Therefore, it is pertinent that the management of zakat is made efficient to ensure that the rights of the recipients and the society, in general, will not be put in jeopardy. The question is then raised regarding the type of zakat distribution or programmes pertaining to the asnaf Muallaf. The objective of this article is to explore zakat distribution programmes for sustaining muallaf belief (Tauhid) and thoughts (Iman). The methodology of this article is based on qualitative research through document analysis and interview with zakat officer. This article has revealed that a huge amount had been allocated for the development of asnaf Muallaf. It is conclude that, State Islamic Religious Council needs to continuously improve a comprehensive programmes that focus on sustaining the Muallaf belief (Tauhid) and thoughts (Iman).

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This study attempts to examine the effectiveness of monthly zakat distribution as a mechanism to poverty reduction in the state of Kelantan. The target population of this study is the masakin (poor) and fuqara (hardcore poor) (Note 1) categories of the Kelantan Islamic Religious Department (MAIK) (Note 2) zakat recipients. Simple Random sampling procedure is applied to collect primary data related to zakat recipients from the poor and hardcore poor category of ten districts of Kelantan. The effects of zakat distribution on poverty are analyzed within the context of burden of poverty; specifically in terms of incidence, intensity and severity of poverty. These are examined using four major indices of poverty, which include the Headcount Index, Average Poverty Gap, Income Gap and Sen Index. Results revealed that zakat distribution reduces poverty incidence, reduces the extent of poverty and lessens the severity of poverty. Further, the current zakat distribution in Kelantan only gives a small effect on increasing the income of the poor. Hence, by locating the perfect amount of zakat distribution to eliminate poverty and to offer alternative zakat distribution model is the best way in reducing the income inequality and maximization of social welfare.