Pluralisme Hukum dalam Distribusi Zakat: Studi Sosio-Legal di Desa Pulau Baru, Kabupaten Merangin, Jambi

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the practice of zakat distribution from the perspective of legal pluralism using a socio-legal approach in Pulau Baru Village, Merangin Regency, Jambi. Although the state has formally regulated zakat management through institutional frameworks, practices at the community level reveal a persistent preference for direct distribution of zakat to mustahiq (eligible recipients). This gap between formal norms and social practices indicates legal dynamics that cannot be fully explained through a purely normative approach. This research employs a qualitative method, utilizing primary data obtained from in-depth interviews with mosque administrators, religious leaders, and community members, as well as direct observation of zakat collection and distribution practices. The findings demonstrate that zakat distribution is not solely determined by formal legal norms but is also shaped by trust, social proximity, personal experience, and deeply embedded local traditions. Within the framework of legal pluralism, these practices reflect the interaction between state law, Islamic law, and local social norms, which collectively shape dynamic patterns of zakat distribution. The study finds that while formal institutional systems aim to enhance efficiency and equitable distribution, direct distribution practices continue to hold strong social legitimacy as part of the living law within the community. Accordingly, this study argues that the effectiveness of zakat governance cannot rely solely on formal institutional approaches but must also integrate the social values embedded within society. These findings contribute theoretically to the development of legal pluralism studies and offer practical implications for designing more adaptive and context-sensitive zakat governance policies.