Purpose This study aims to highlight the Maqasid-based dimensions that guide Maliki jurisprudence regarding zakat, especially concerning flexibility in legal classification and characterization; examine the potential of Maliki jurisprudence to accommodate contemporary economic developments within the framework of the zakat base; and present a contemporary juristic framework from within the Maliki school to enhance the role of zakat as an economic and social instrument. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a qualitative doctrinal methodology grounded in classical Maliki legal texts, integrated with an analytical and Maqasid-based framework to assess the adaptability of zakat rulings to contemporary economic developments. The research uses inductive analysis to extract governing legal principles related to wealth growth (namāʾ), ownership and productivity and applies disciplined juristic reasoning to evaluate modern financial assets within the Maliki zakat framework. Findings The study finds that Maliki jurisprudence adopts a flexible and principle-based conception of the zakat base, grounded primarily in the criterion of growth (namāʾ) rather than in rigid asset typologies. This methodological orientation enables the inclusion of diverse contemporary wealth forms – such as financial investments, bank deposits and digital assets – within the zakat base, provided that the conditions of ownership, nisab and the passage of a lunar year are fulfilled. The findings further demonstrate that Maliki legal theory, through disciplined analogy and Maqasid-based reasoning, possesses a strong internal capacity to accommodate economic change while maintaining juristic coherence and normative stability. Research limitations/implications This study is limited to the Maliki school and does not provide a comparative analysis with other Islamic legal schools. In addition, it focuses on conceptual and doctrinal frameworks rather than empirical data or applied case studies. The findings, while rooted in classical jurisprudence and Maqasid-based reasoning, may require contextual adaptation when applied across diverse financial systems or jurisdictions. Future research could expand the scope to include cross-school comparative analysis, quantitative zakat models or institutional implementation across various Muslim-majority and minority context. Practical implications This study highlights the necessity of updating the Maliki understanding of the zakat base to accommodate contemporary economic changes, including digital assets and modern investments. Such an update enables Islamic institutions to collect zakat more effectively and broadens the scope of eligible recipients, thereby supporting social and economic development. The findings also guide scholars and jurists in deriving practical solutions suited to the realities faced by Muslims today. Moreover, it promotes greater societal awareness of zakat’s importance within flexible and modern jurisprudential frameworks. Social implications The study’s findings emphasize the critical role of adapting zakat regulations to contemporary social realities, enhancing social justice and poverty alleviation. By broadening the zakat base, more vulnerable groups can benefit, reducing economic disparities within Muslim communities. This adaptation fosters stronger social solidarity and responsibility, encouraging higher zakat compliance and community engagement. Furthermore, it supports the empowerment of marginalized groups through sustainable financial support, promoting overall social cohesion. The research thereby contributes to aligning traditional Islamic social welfare mechanisms with modern societal needs, enhancing zakat’s impact on reducing inequality and fostering communal harmony. Originality/value This research offers an original Maqasid-based juristic reconfiguration of the zakat base within Maliki jurisprudence, integrating contemporary economic developments that remain underexplored in classical fiqh literature. By systematically linking Maliki legal principles with modern forms of wealth, the study provides a coherent and adaptable framework for contemporary zakat assessment. The paper contributes to current scholarly debates on Islamic fiscal ethics by demonstrating the continued relevance of Maliki jurisprudential methodology in addressing emerging economic realities, zakat, Maqasid al-shariah, digital currencies, investment funds, Maliki jurisprudence.
Alqudah et al. (Fri,) studied this question.