A Reinterpretation of the Meaning of Al-Gharim in Surah At-Taubah Verse 60 and the Status of Victims of Digital Debt as Mustahiq Zakat

. This study examines a reinterpretation of the term al-gharim in Qur'an 9:60 and applies it to assess whether victims of digital debt qualify as zakat recipients (mustahiq). It addresses two gaps. First, al-gharimin is commonly translated simply as “those in debt,” whereas the semantic network of the root غرم in the Qur'an points to an inherent burden, a crushing loss, and an obligation demanding settlement. Second, fintech lending, illegal loans, paylater schemes, identity misuse, and digital debt collection create forms of vulnerability that classical literature does not address in technical terms. Using a qualitative library-based approach, the study combines Qur'anic semantic analysis, thematic-terminological exegesis, comparison of classical and contemporary tafsir, hadith analysis, zakat jurisprudence, and maqasid al-shari'ah, alongside a review of Indonesian Financial Services Authority (OJK) regulations and literature on online lending, BNPL, consumer protection, and mustahiq empowerment. The findings show that al-gharim cannot be equated with every borrower. Its fixed elements are a legitimate and verifiable liability, objective inability to pay after basic needs and reasonable assets are accounted for, a genuine intention to settle the obligation, and aid limited to the shortfall required. Its contextual elements include the digital medium, electronic contracts, algorithmic assessment, hidden fees, personal data misuse, intimidating collection practices, and disputes over the validity of claims. A digital debt victim may be classified as a mustahiq under al-gharimin when the debt is real, the obligation is valid, the use of funds is justifiable, the person cannot pay, and zakat relieves the burden without reinforcing illegal practices. The study proposes four decision categories: eligible, conditionally eligible, requiring non-zakat assistance, and ineligible. Ideal distribution involves debt auditing, direct payment to legitimate creditors, restructuring, legal and financial assistance, and post-settlement monitoring. Zakat thus serves not only as a means of repayment but also as a way to restore recipients' economic control and dignity.