He remains actively involved in presenting papers at national and international levels..[2] Zulkifli is also the founder of Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council's Pondok Moden Al-'Abaqirah, a religious educational institute.

He continued his education at Sekolah Menengah Agama Sultan Zainal Abidin (SMASZA), Ladang, Kuala Terengganu (1982-1984) before pursuing his studies at the Thanawi level at Sekolah Menengah Agama (Atas) Sultan Zainal Abidin (SMAASZA), Batu Buruk, Kuala Terengganu (1985-1988).

Subsequently, Zulkifli pursued a Bachelor's degree in Shariah at the Islamic University of Madinah (1989-1993).

He then furthered his education with a Master’s degree in Shariah at the University of Islamic and Arabic Sciences, Damascus, Syria (1994-1997), under the supervision of Sheikh Prof. Dr. Mustafa al-Khin.

He completed his Ph.D at the School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia (2002-2004), under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Radzi Othman.