Asnaf entrepreneurship outcomes: A systematic review

This study systematically maps evidence on asnaf entrepreneurship outcomes through a systematic literature review (SLR). Guided by the PRISMA protocol, the review was conducted across Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, identifying 33 empirical studies published between 2015 and 2025. A logic framework was used to structure the analysis from intervention inputs to outcomes, while outcome domains were derived through inductive thematic analysis. The review identifies four core outcome domains: social and spiritual upliftment, economic and skills advancement, crisis resilience and debt relief, and entrepreneurial growth and self-reliance. Evidence consistently shows improvements in short-term income, asset accumulation, and basic household welfare following zakat-supported entrepreneurship interventions. However, findings on long-term business sustainability, employment generation, and graduation from asnaf status remain limited. Existing studies are largely dominated by capital-focused interventions, whereas programmes integrating mentoring, digital capability, and Islamic microfinance demonstrate more varied and sustained outcomes. From a policy perspective, sustainable asnaf entrepreneurship requires integrated and adaptive programme designs that combine capital, skills development, digital inclusion, market access, and Shariah-compliant financing. Theoretically, this study advances zakat and Islamic social finance literature by conceptualising asnaf entrepreneurship outcomes as multidimensional and dynamic, extending beyond purely economic perspectives. In terms of originality, it offers an integrated synthesis by combining a logic model with AI-assisted thematic analysis, while identifying critical gaps in long-term sustainability and programme design to inform future research and policy development.