Strategic Zakat Management and Socio-Economic Impact: The Case of LZNK in Kedah, Malaysia

This paper investigates the strategic transformation of zakat management by Lembaga Zakat Negeri Kedah (LZNK) and its impact on socio-economic development in Malaysia.Drawing on historical records, institutional reforms, and contemporary practices, the study highlights how LZNK evolved into a leading Islamic social finance institution through structured governance, innovation, and inclusive development strategies.Key initiatives such as the Smart Sawah Berskala Besar Asnaf (SSBBA), digitization through Zakat on Touch (ZOT), and the implementation of wakalah mechanisms illustrate LZNK's role in empowering asnaf and transforming Zakat into a sustainable socio-economic instrument.