The manuscript of "Fiqh al-Zakat" is a monumental work by Shaykh Nawawi Yahya Abdul Razak Majene, an Indonesian scholar who graduated from Al-Azhar University. The work, written in the 1980s, is a complete review of zakat in at least 10 volumes or around 6,000 Arabic pages.
This work is one of the most comprehensive examinations of Fikih Zakat ever written by a Southeast Asian scholar. However, the condition of the manuscript is now very fragile, some volumes are incomplete, damaged, and most of them are difficult to read even in the digital version. Recognizing the importance of the work, a research and tahqiq (critical editing) of the Kitab "Fiqh al-Zakat" was conducted.
To mark the start of the research, UNU Jogja held a "Research Kick off" through the organization of a seminar "Reviving the Archipelago's Scientific Heritage" on the UNU Jogja Campus, Saturday (22/11/2025). This agenda was held by Shafiec UNU Jogja, the National Amil Zakat Agency (BAZNAS) RI, and the Postgraduate Program of UIN Sunan Kalijaga.
In his speech, Plh. Rector Suhadi Cholil explained that the enthusiasm to research the book arose after Prof. Alwi Shihab's visit to the UNU Jogja campus some time ago. "He told us details about Kiai Nawawi who worked on a book about zakat and modern social order," he said.
According to him, this book is relevant for Indonesia, especially for BAZNAS, because so far the laws of zakat refer to classical books. "Unfortunately, these laws have no guidelines, so this book is a very meaningful contribution to the implementation of zakat in Indonesia," he said.
Suhadi explained that the book will be copied, studied, and translated into Indonesian. A total of 10 copyists, 10 penahqiqs, 10 researchers, and 10 translators are involved in this research which will begin with FGDs in the near future.
"This research and translation is so that we can all understand the noble content of this book. In the future, it would be better if it is also translated into English," he said.
The Chairman of BAZNAS RI Noor Ahmad expressed his pride in UNU Jogja which is currently focusing on the STEM field. The academic capacity of the UNU Jogja community is expected to contribute to this research.
"I enter UNU Jogja proudly, ask the students even more proudly. This is the future NU university that the people are waiting for," he said, appreciating this by increasing the number of BAZNAS RI Scholarship recipients at UNU Jogja from 100 to 150.
He mentioned that Syaikh Nawawi has written more than 2000 titles about zakat. This contribution of thought is very important to manage the potential of zakat amounting to Rp327 trillion and the potential of alms as a whole for Muslims which reaches Rp1,257 trillion.
"If all Muslims pay zakat, the entire Ummah will be helped and various Ummah affairs can be resolved by the Ummah itself," he said.
Therefore, BAZNAS RI is very eager to support the research of this book and socialize Syaikh Nawawi's thoughts on zakat. "Hopefully this will be a blessing for all of us," he said.
The seminar was attended by a number of speakers, namely Chairman of PBNU KH Ulil Abshar Abdalla, Islamic philology expert Prof. Oman Fathurrahman, Head of BAZNAS RI for Distribution and Utilization Saidah Sakwan, and Director of Zakat and Waqf Empowerment of the Ministry of Religion Waryono.
Gus Ulil stated that Syaikh Nawawi Majene's work is unique. Because not many scholars specifically review certain issues. In general, fiqh studies are written in full from beginning to end.
"Discussions of fiqh themes in a particular issue are very rare. This work by Shaykh Nawawi Majene is rare. Its excellence is its depth. This is extraordinary," he said.
The research kick off was also attended by the Chairman of the Ministry of Religious Affairs DIY Regional Office Ahmad Bahiej, Rector of UNU Jogja 2017-2022 Prof. Purwo Santoso, Chairman of the Ethics Council Prof. Mukti Arto, and Rector of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan.
