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This study explores the effect of zakat and non-zakat empowerment programs on the beneficiaries' welfare (mustahiq). This study focuses on the influence of the intervening variable, namely the mustahiq businesses' growth on mustahiq welfare. This study also examines the role of demographic characteristics, such as age, gender, and years of education on mustahiq business growth. This study employs the Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) using data from 100 respondents who received empowerment assistance from three different zakat institutions. The sample of mustahiq was selected from three zakat institutions to provide a diversity of respondents. The results indicate that zakat and non-zakat programs' empowerment through business growth has significantly affected mustahiq welfare. With these results, both zakat and non-zakat productive programs should be more developed to assist the community businesses' growth optimally. Previous studies measure the welfare of mustahiq with material aspects. In this study, the indicator of welfare is based on maqashid sharia, which includes the protection of Ad-Din (religion), An-Nafs (Soul), Al-Aql (intellect), Al-Nasl (descendant), and Al-Maal (wealth). Examining the impact of two variables, namely productive empowerment programs through zakat and non-zakat, on mustahiq business growth and welfare is the novelty of this study.

Zakat is an instrument of Islamic economic and social funds that contributes to the achievement of people wellbeing. This study examines the business growth as a mediating variable on the relationship between the impact of the zakat empowerment programs and mustahiq’s (zakat recipient) welfare. This quantitative study employs Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) analysis on 100 mustahiqs from different zakat empowerment programs in East Java and DI Yogyakarta. Zakat empowerment positively affects mustahiq’s welfare. This indicates that the empowerment program successfully increases mustahiqs’ wellbeing and their business. Business growth as a mediating variable on the relationship between business assistantship and mustahiq welfare also shows a positive and significant effect. Further, macroeconomic indicators consisting of GRDP and inflation and internal factors consisting of age and educational level, have different impacts on the business growth of mustahiq. This study confirms the zakat empowerment program’s role in improving the mustahiq’s welfare based on maqashid al-shariah (the Islamic objectives). Zakat community empowerment is a solution to suppress the poverty rate and possible for reducing inequality and ending poverty in Indonesia. This study extends the literature by providing a unique measurement of mustahiq welfare. This study incorporates maqashid al-shariah considerations to measure the wellbeing.