Disaster management is a key responsibility of the government, which must be carried
out in a structured, coordinated, and professional manner to achieve public welfare.
In Islam, zakat functions not only as an act of worship but also as a socio-economic
instrument. It aims to reduce poverty and economic inequality, which, if left
unaddressed, can undermine human dignity, security, and social well-being. Zakat
promotes values such as equality, cooperation, and compassion, and its distribution is
managed by authorized institutions, including Baitul Maal. This study examines the
legal basis for the distribution of zakat funds for disaster relief, grounded in the Islamic
legal principle Taṣarruf al-Imām ‘alā ar-Ra‘iyyah Manūṭun bi al-Maṣlaḥah, which means
that a leader’s policies must prioritize the public interest (maṣlaḥah). Employing a
normative legal method with a conceptual and literature-based approach, this research
utilizes Islamic legal analysis grounded in the principles of fiqh and the maqāṣid al-
sharī‘ah. The findings reveal that while the allocation of zakat for disaster response is
not explicitly mentioned in Islamic scripture (naṣṣ shar‘ī), it is permissible under
specific conditions. In times of disaster, it becomes the duty of the ruler to protect the
people, both in their worldly and spiritual affairs. Based on this principle, allocating
zakat for disaster relief is considered lawful in Islam, particularly when it serves the
public good. Therefore, Baitul Maal’s role in channeling zakat for disaster
management is consistent with Islamic law and reflects the broader objective of
promoting societal welfare.