Mismanagement, lack of security unfold in Zakat distribution

Distribution of clothes for Zakat ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr is going on in the country amid mismanagement and lack of security.

Some 15 to 20 poor women and men wearing shabby clothes were seen trying to enter into a shop through its half-opened door at East Tejturi Bazar in Dhaka’s Farmgate area to collect Zakat clothes.

The distributors did not probably bother to maintain any system to ensure security of these poor people, including also some old people, who were trying to get their much expected Zakat by pushing one another.

Men were not giving any space to the women first fearing to be deprived of the ‘gift’ distributed by a private company probably.  

On being asked about the security of these people, an employee of the company told The Daily Star that they didn’t have any other option except keeping the door half-opened.Some people have been seen very pleased after getting the ‘gift’ of Zakat clothes while others were seen fighting to get theirs.

However, he failed to reply what would happen if any life is lost in any untoward incident.

It is definitely a good gesture that any individual or private institution wants to help the poor. But none can ignore the security concern for these underprivileged people.

(The Star Online Report / 04 July 2016)

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Islamic finance prepares rules for awqaf and zakat charitable funds

Islamic finance institutions will present a set of guidelines for Muslim charitable institutions later this month, as the industry looks to develop a more efficient use of their assets, an Indonesian central bank official told Reuters.

Islamic endowments (awqaf) and alms-giving (zakat) have been in existence for centuries and hold billions of dollars in assets around the globe, but they are often criticised for being poorly managed.

A set of guiding core principles for zakat has now been completed and will be unveiled at an upcoming United Nations summit in Istanbul, said Indonesian central bank deputy governor Perry Warjiyo.

Similar rules for awqaf are also in development, Warjiyo said on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the Islamic Development Bank Group being held in Jakarta.

Indonesia’s central bank is hosting some of the technical discussions for developing the core principles, as it hopes to strengthen the auditing function and professional management of such entities.

Reliable statistics are scarce, but awqaf are believed to hold large portfolios of real estate, commercial enterprises, cash, equities and other assets, with some estimates as high as $1 trillion worth of assets held globally.

In Indonesia alone, registered land from awqaf stands at 1,400 square kilometres with an estimated market value of around $60 billion, according to the country’s Ministry of Finance.

(Reuters / 16 May 2016)

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Zakat Foundation’s Super 17 shine at civils

Aligarh: It was a day of fireworks at New Delhi's Mukherjee Nagar-based Zakat Foundation - an organization devoted to increasing the number of civil servants in India, whose 17 candidates made to the final list of civil services examination on Tuesday. The organization, which selects candidates for coaching after an exam conducted at centres situated in areas of concentration of Muslim population, had coached a total of 35 candidates. Significantly, 16 of its students had also cleared the prestigious exam even last year.

The candidates who cleared the exam this year include Farha Husain from Rajasthan, Mohd Arshad from Jharkhand, Ansar Ahmad Shaikh from Maharashtra, Minhajuddin Nizami, Ashar Ahmad, Arish Bilal from Uttar Pradesh, Anna Sosa Thomas, Benson Samuel, Dr Ibson Shah and Ashif Anakarth from Kerala, Asim Anwer from Karnataka, Syed Junaid Adil, Dr Bashit Qayoom, Dr Bilalwal Shafeeq Chowdhury, Shakil Ahmad Ghani, and Deeba Farhat from Jammu and Kashmir and Hussain Mehedi Rahman from West Bengal.

The organistaion's founder, Zafar Mahmood, who was in Aligarh to encourage and inspire AMU students to prepare for civil services exam, told TOI, "Political representation of Muslims is very low because constituencies of Muslim majority areas are mostly reserved for SC/ST candidates. The Sachar Committee had asked for referring this anomaly to the Delimitation Commission. Similarly, sufficient number of Muslims are not appearing for civil services exam after a well-directed training. . The effort needs to be made by sincere community leaders and well-wishers."

Explaining the way the foundation picks up talent and nurtures them for the country's top exam, Mahmood, himself a civil servant who took voluntary retirement in 2009, said, "The candidates are taken only after they clear the foundation's in-house exam. The exams are conducted in Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir and in Kolkata keeping the concentration of Muslim population in mind and also the fact that the potential of people in these regions is very good. Then a test is held in Delhi for the Muslim aspirants from the rest of India. After the results are out, good performers are taken in and are provided with residential as well as coaching facilities in New Delhi's Mukherjee Nagar. A monthly report card of each candidate is maintained to track his or her performance."

Since Independence, there have been just four Muslim toppers of civil services exam and one of them, Shah Faesal from Kashmir who topped the exam in 2009, was coached by this foundation.

According to Mahmood, a lack of information and confidence in the system has led to disinterest of Indian Muslims in the civil services exam. "Ever since I joined the services in 1977, I made it a point to visit AMU, Jamia Milia Islamia and other minority institutes to encourage Muslim students for taking the exam. I met students and encouraged them to become part of the policymaking system and governance," he said.

(The Times Of India City / 10 May 2016)

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Use Zakat for human devt

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has urged Muslims to use the institution of Zakat to promote equitable redistribution of wealth and foster a sense of solidarity among Muslims.

 Ajimobi gave the advice recently during the annual distribution of Zakat by the Elders Consultative Forum of Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria, Oyo state chapter in Ibadan. 

The governor, who was represented at the event by Mr AbdulJelil Busari, PermanentSecretary, Oyo state Teaching Service Commission, said Zakat was considered by Muslims as an act of piety through which one expresses concern for the well-being of fellow Muslims.

 Ajimobi called on the Muslims and groups to address the effective, efficient collection and management of Zakat fund. 

He urged the forum to ensure that indigent Muslims have access to Zakat fund and other items and are managed in a sustainable way in order to get adequate reward from Allah. In his contribution, the Minister of Communication, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, said that poverty was too rampant among the Muslims because the rich among them were not paying Zakat. 

Shittu said that he was planning a poverty alleviation programme which was not politically motivated but aimed at assisting the less-privileged and would be done purposely for the sake of Allah.

(Vanguard / 06 May 2016)

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Nigeria: MUSWEN Moves to Strengthen Zakat Collection

Plans are underway by the Muslims Umah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) to strengthen Zakat collection to assist more indigent Muslims and solve some social problems confronting them.

However, the group has bemoaned the spate of insurgency in the country, urging the Federal Government to put in place proper mechanism to guarantee security of lives and properties.

The group, in a communiqué made available to The Guardian after its second general assembly meeting in Ibadan condemned the bloody and destructive activities of Boko Haram insurgents who are masquerading under the garb of Islam to perpetrate unprecedented atrocities in some parts of the country.

MUSWEN, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Sakariyau Olayiwola Babalola insisted that Islam stands for peace in all ramifications adding that such atrocities was grossly antithetical to the tenets of Islam.

Besides, it called on the Federal Government to quickly devise a means to address the fundamental causes of insecurity in the land and make frantic efforts to rescue the Chibok girls.

It therefore enjoined Muslims to organize special prayers for the nation. "That the political situation in the country today, when combined with the well known insecurity has become so dangerous that only constant prayer can rescue it. MUSWEN therefore calls for such prayers from all and sundry,"

MUSWEN at the meeting however established a Muslim Elders' Forum for the southwest to address some socio-economic and political issues affecting Muslims, which were often overlooked by an existing Yoruba Elders' Council and similar bodies in the region.

Worried about the present economic situation of the country, particularly as being affected by the crash in crude oil prices, It insisted that, existing agricultural policies should be quickly implemented by the federal and state governments to engage millions of Nigerian youth as a way of curbing unnecessary restiveness in the society.

The group also noted that the overwhelming poverty within the Ummah betrays the preponderance of the meaningful Muslim population in Nigeria, which forms a great workforce that should help to stabilize the economic and political harmony of the country.

"Nigerian Muslims are incessantly confronted by two major problems: One is poverty. The other is ignorance. Whereas a solution to one of these two problems can automatically pave way for the solution to the other. However, no serious attention seems to have been paid to such solution for a long time," it stated.

It further called all Nigerians, irrespective of their ethnic and religious backgrounds, should come together to rally round the present government especially President Muhammad Buhari in solving the multifarious problems staring the Nigerian people on the face.

(All Africa / 29 April 2016)

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Zakat council approves scholarship for deserving students

Provincial Zakat Council has approved the release of Rs 40,000,000 scholarship for 7605 deserving students of colleges, universities and seminaries.

This was decided in the 162nd meeting of Provincial Zakat Council headed by Chairman Justice (r.) Akhtar Hassan in his office. Zakat and Ushr Secretary Habib-ur-Rehman Gillani, Administrator Zakat Muhammad Yusuf Butt, Deputy Administrator Zakat (Field) Rana Muhammad Sajjad Babar, members of the council Muhammad Azhar Faroqi, Saeed Ahmad Ansari, Mohtarma Tanvir Kausar, Deputy Secretary Saeeda Malaika and representatives of the secretary local government and community development, finance and social welfare were also present on the occasion.

Provincial Zakat Council approved Rs.23400000 for 4206 students studying in 155 educational institutions of 12 districts of the province whereas Rs.1 crore 64 lakh 33 thousand 114 have been approved for 3399 deserving students of 49 seminaries of eight districts in the province.

Provincial Zakat Council chairman directed high ranking officers of the Zakat and Ushr department to ensure immediate release of the said amount and make special arrangements for early release of scholarships to the deserving students.

(Pakistan Today / 05 April 2016)

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Tanzania: Needy People to Reap From Zakat

THE Wakf and Trust Commission Zanzibar authorities have started giving out tithes (Zakat) to the needy, as promised during the establishment of the Zakat.

No details were given on how much the commission collected and given to the needy, including assistance to the widows and children in schools. Zakat is a form of obligatory- compulsory, or, more recently, voluntary- alms-giving and religious tax in Islam.

As one of the Five Pillars of Islam, Zakat is a religious obligation for all Muslims who meet the necessary criteria of wealth. "Use the Zakat for the intended goal of getting you out of the difficulties," Sheikh Hassan Ali Kombo from the Commission told the beneficiaries and Ms Amina Hassan one the receivers expressed gratitude.

The Commission for Wakf and Trust Properties is a self-managed state institution established by Act No. 2 of 2007. The functions of the Commission includes managing: Wakf property; Trust property; and Estate of deceased Muslim.

The Commission also takes care of Islamic matters with regard to inheritance, Hijja (Pilgrimage), Sadaka (Charity) and Zakat (Tithes).

Furthermore, in the process of managing properties, the Commission administer tenancy agreements, collection of rent/debt; and estate management, development and maintenance of Wakf and Trust Properties.

(All Africa / 16 March 2016)

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Zakat: Free auto-rickshaws given to seven people

FAISALABAD:Free auto-rickshaws were given to seven men in a ceremony organised at the TMA Hall on Tuesday. The rickshaws were purchased by the district Zakat and Usher Department.

The auto-rickshaws were handed over to Irfan ul Haq, Liaqat Ali, Nadeem Arif, Nasir Zahoor, Riaz Ahmed, Rasheed Ahmed and Zahid Hussain. MNA Begum Khalida Mansoor and MPA Sheikh Ijaz Ahmed, who is also on the governing board of the Faisalabad Development Authority, were the chief guests on the occasion.

Zakat and Usher District Chairman Nazir Hussain Bajwa was also present on the occasion.

Khalida Mansoor said the government had taken practical steps to provide employment opportunities to financially-distressed people in the province. By providing free auto-rickshaws to deserving people in the district, the government hoped to provide them a respectable source of living. “They would not have to rely on the Zakat fund for sustenance.”

She said that auto-rickshaws had been given to people who fulfilled the criteria and were aware of traffic laws. She said they also had driving licences. “It is our duty to uplift the poor, needy and those without shelter and to make them active citizens of the society.

(The Express Tribune / 12 March 2016)

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Zakat Foundation of America tours project sites

Mr Kemal Ali Berru, Programme Director of Zakat Foundation of America, a Chicago-based Islamic charity organisation, has toured some of its project sites in Ghana.

Mr Berru told journalists that the local office of the Foundation is in Kumasi, working in the areas of education, health, livelihood empowerment and humanitarian assistance in the Brong-Ahafo, Northern and Upper East Regions.

Mr Selia Alhassan, the Country Representative, disclosed that the organisation is currently implementing a livelihood programme at Jugboi in the Bole District in the Northern Region, where it had set up a cassava processing plant to help women farmers to process the crop to earn a living.

The Foundation has also established two other vocational training centres in Kumasi and Bole equipping beneficiaries with machines to be self-employed.

Mr Salia also spoke about other interventions of the Foundation, which includes the provision of medical supplies to four hospitals and 32 water wells across Bole, Bawku and Binduri.

He said the interventions are helping to transform lives, and pledged to improve on them to touch more lives.

Mr Birru expressed gratitude to all partners, including the district assemblies, for their collaboration to ensure the delivery of the projects.

(Ghana Web / 20 December 2015)

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Zakat Foundation of America tours project sites

Mr Kemal Ali Berru, Programme Director of Zakat Foundation of America, a Chicago-based Islamic charity organisation, has toured some of its project sites in Ghana.

Mr Berru told journalists that the local office of the Foundation is in Kumasi, working in the areas of education, health, livelihood empowerment and humanitarian assistance in the Brong-Ahafo, Northern and Upper East Regions.

Mr Selia Alhassan, the Country Representative, disclosed that the organisation is currently implementing a livelihood programme at Jugboi in the Bole District in the Northern Region, where it had set up a cassava processing plant to help women farmers to process the crop to earn a living.

The Foundation has also established two other vocational training centres in Kumasi and Bole equipping beneficiaries with machines to be self-employed.

Mr Salia also spoke about other interventions of the Foundation, which includes the provision of medical supplies to four hospitals and 32 water wells across Bole, Bawku and Binduri.

He said the interventions are helping to transform lives, and pledged to improve on them to touch more lives.

Mr Birru expressed gratitude to all partners, including the district assemblies, for their collaboration to ensure the delivery of the projects.

(Ghana Web / 20 December 2015)

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Zakat: The best welfare system

Islam was born in the sandy deserts of Arabia with profound implications for the world. Its impact is still found around the globe due to its contacts with other religions and communities. Today Islam is almost associated with terrorism which is nothing but the “manufactured perception” by media and some interested groups to control the resources of the Muslim world. The tag of terrorism to any Islamic country gives them an excuse to invade the country and destroy its history, culture and society. Some big multinational companies are involved in this process as well as for the world it is necessary to control the markets and provide a readymade supply of raw materials. By any standards, Islam is nothing but peace and it has come to world to establish a just and fair system. It just takes a rational man without the prejudices to understand the implications of this system. This has been even realised by European intellectuals as well. It is disastrous for the honour of the Muslims that they have to resort to writing of European intellectuals to justify good in Islam rather than simply relaying on its tenants and principles. Even though there is a sense of ‘Political Islam” emerging which has totally overshadowed the other sub systems that are present in Islam which could relieve humanity from poverty, misery and destitution. The social welfare system in Islam is based on the concept of Zakat.

Modern governments are based on the concept of welfare system. These take care of the health, education and other basic necessities and needs. The type of the welfare system will be in line depending on the types of governments whether it is capitalist, communist or dictator.  There is some difference between these. However all these aim at the promotion of the peace, prosperity of their respective countries. However there is a serious question whether the policies have worked or not. Globally, there are still more than 1 billion population that lives in extreme conditions. This is a starving line where people don’t possess enough food to eat. Much of the world’s poverty of this type is concentrated in Asia and Africa. Millions of dollars are spend on the welfare systems around the world, billions are spend by NGO’s yet there is no solution to the looming crisis that has engulfed humanity. The reason, being, that today’s welfare system is based on the Political necessities and Macavalian policies. The governments have billions to spend on weapons and wars but not to feed the starving mouths around the world. It will take just 15% of the global spending on wars to feed the billions that die and provide them education. There will be more left to spend on the scientific knowledge and progress of humanity. However it seems crazy to believe that after spending so much, the welfare system of the world is unsustainable. It becomes even more unsustainable when there is depression and recession in the economy. The recession of 1930’s, recession of 2008 and Greek debt crisis saw deep cuts in the welfare expenditure around the world. It forced many millions to resort to violence on the streets. However, the economy is to be seen in light of the “whole” system. The governments in the recession resorts to tricky measures, to cool the temperature, by resorting to borrowing from banks and other entities. Many few realise the borrowing will cost them in future. They will have to pay back the money and with due interest rates. It is no secret that millions of people are under debt even in developed countries. It is exactly what happened in Greece. Similarly, in recession the rich demand cuts in income taxes and all to keep the economy afloat which again impacts the welfare system. In recession banks don’t lend to poor and those who lost their jobs due to income credibility problems. If it lends, it lends these at higher charges. It puts them in trap of banking system that creates money out of nothing. The recession is the best opportunity for the banks to keep governments in check and control economic resources.  And when these institutions turn in on these poor flocks, they have no mercy.

Zakat is significantly different from the other systems. The first principle of the zakat is that it is exclusively left for the poor. This principle takes away the interference from political parties tempering into the welfare system. Whether the money is less or more, it has to be spent on the poor people. However since the poverty is a relative term, the poverty line can always be adjusted to keep spending on the poor in a country and when everyone is rich, the money can be given to other nations to feed their poor flock. Islam doesn’t make a difference between poor persons living in different countries. However the modern government’s welfare system does. The zakat can be stored in the boom times to meet the basic necessities when the economy is in recession and when it is expected that poverty ratio will increase. One more important fact about zakat system is that it is provided to poor free of interests and governments have not to borrow it from the people. It is religious obligation on the rich to provide some amount of the money to poor. This way there is no inter-generational debt problems. The present consumption by the poor doesn’t lead to an increase in income taxes for the next generation. This is all what economics strives for. However since there is bias about Islamic institutions these are really taken seriously. One misconception about zakat system is that it will breed poverty among the society as people will choose to be poor as the society will take care of them. So there is no incentive for hard work. However human nature is against being at the bottom. There is a lot of evidence in economics that suggests that men or women if given enough space will try to achieve a good life for them and their children. Zakat has more profound implication on the evils of the society like theft, kidnaping etc. since zakat will take care of the basic needs of the poor, and they are unlikely to indulge in social evils. It has a positive externality for the society as social evils will come down rapidly. It strikes at the root of class war which Marks, the false prophet, proposed. However the zakat system has to be seen as a sub system of the Islamic economic system. Since the society will make resources available money for the poor, the creation of better relations is a necessary implication for it. In fact zakat is a guarantee for peace and development. This helps in more growth and equality distribution.

 It is necessary that the prejudices against Islamic economic system must be removed. Its fundamentals will remove the defects of the present economic systems throughout the world. The welfare system of the world has cracked down and the poverty is increasing so is the inequality. It is a great time for the economists to give serious thoughts to zakat system so that poverty, hunger and destitution will be removed throughout the world.

(Kashmir Images / 17 December 2015)

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Zakat Foundation to expand projects

The Zakat Foundation of America, Ghana, a social and humanitarian organization, is to expand its interventions in the southern parts of the country to benefit more vulnerable and deprived people.

Mr Habib Abubakar, Programme Manager of Zakat Foundation of America, Ghana, disclosed this when he briefed journalists in Tamale after they have toured the organization's projects in the Northern Region.

The tour was to enable the visiting Interim Programme Director of Zakat Foundation, based in Chicago, United States of America, Mr Kamal Ali Birru, to assess the projects being undertaken by Zakat Foundation of America, Ghana, in all its project areas.

Mr Abubakar said currently, Zakat Foundation of America, Ghana, which is based in Kumasi, worked in the areas of education, health, livelihood empowerment and humanitarian assistance in three regions, namely, the Brong-Ahafo, Northern and Upper East Regions.

He disclosed that the organization was implementing a livelihood programme in the Bole District where it had set up a cassava processing plant to help especially women farmers to process their cassava, including vocational training and equipping beneficiaries with machines to start work as self-employed.

He also spoke about other interventions of Zakat Foundation of America, Ghana, which he said, included the provision of medical supplies to four hospitals and 32 water wells across Bole, Bawku and Binduri.

He said the interventions were helping to transform lives, and pledged to improve on them to touch more lives.

Mr Birru, who is based in Chicago, Headquarters of Zakat Foundation, expressed gratitude to all partners, including District Assemblies, for their collaboration to ensure the delivery of the projects.

(Ghana Web / 31 October 2015)

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‘Zakat’ brings hope for poor kids who want to study

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Zakat Foundation (CZF), is focusing on educational support for families in need and has created corpus fund from the obligatory charity money 'zakat' to extend assistance for the academic needs of children. 

'Zakat' is paid at the rate of 2.5% on assets, on which one year has lapsed. Take the case of Afsha Bano, who lost her father when she was a child. She was all smiles after her hope to accomplish her studies was rekindled by the foundation. Bano is now a student of Pandit Ravi Shankar university. 

Another recipient Abdul Haque, who is a labourer and resident of Chirmiri, felt reassured by zakat assistance which will help in shaping the destiny of his two sons. "It was tough for me to support my son who is doing engineering and another who is aspiring to become a doctor," he said. 

As many as 149 students received the zakat amount through cheques for their school fee and books at a simple function organised at G N Pandey government school auditorium in Raipur on Tuesday. Syed Akil and Mohammed Tahir of the CZF said that the selection and short-listing process of students was judiciously undertaken to ensure only deserving students remain beneficiaries. About Rs 7 lakh zakat fund was given away as scholarship to 149 students, most of them girls. 

(The Times Of India / 20 August 2015)

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Ramadan: Purify your fast by giving Zakat Al Fitr

It is a great sight to see the celebrations of having accomplished the full month of fasting and Muslims gearing up for Eid Al Fitr which is one of the rewards. We all rustle up sumptuous dishes and wear new and pretty attire on the occasion. But what about those who cannot afford a square meal on the day of celebrations?

Islam is a religion of compassion and so it tells Muslims not to forget their brethren on the festive occasion and share with them at least some food which they can have on that day. And Zakat Al Fitr is the amount of food that we give at the end of Ramadan so that poor Muslims can have something to eat on Eid. Zakat Al Fitr is not to be confused with zakat. It is a must for each and every Muslim, adult or minor, male or female. It is said that Zakat Al Fitr purifies the Muslim and the sins he committed in Ramadan. It also spreads love and solidarity in society. Zakat Al Fitr aims to make the poor happy and save them the trouble of asking for money on the joyful event of Eid Al Fitr. It shows the poor that society does not forget them.

The purpose of Zakat Al Fitr is to purify one who fasts from any indecent act or speech and to help the poor and needy. It is incumbent on every free Muslim who possesses one Sa of dates or barley which is not needed as a basic food for himself or his family for the duration of one day and night. Every free Muslim must pay Zakat Al Fitr for himself, his wife, children, and servants. (One Sa’ equals approximately three kilograms).

The required amount of Zakat ul Fitr is one Sa’ of wheat, rice or corn or similar items considered as basic foods.

The jurists agree that Zakat Al Fitr is due at the end of Ramadan. They differ, however, about the exact time. While many believe that is due at the sunset of the night of breaking the fast, for this is when the fast of Ramadan ends. While many others say that Zakat Al Fitr is due at the start of Fajr (dawn) on the day of Eid because it is an act of worship connected with Eid. However, it is up to you to decide the best time as we shall not engage here in deciding who is correct. Pay after Magrib on the last day of Ramadan or during Fajr time, as you wish. It is not permissible to delay giving Zakat Al Fitr after the day of Eid (i.e. on+e may give it up to the time of the Eid prayer). However, there are some jurists who think that it is permissible to delay giving it even after the Eid prayer. Anyway, the founders of the four accepted Islamic legal schools agree that Zakat Al Fitr is not nullified simply by failure to pay it on its due time. If it is not paid before Eid prayer, one is not exempt from it. It becomes a debt payable even after death. The heirs must not distribute the deceased’s legacy before payment of the deceased’s unpaid.

Al Qaradawi explains the reasons for these differences in opinion by saying that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to pay Zakat Al Fitr after Fajr prayer by the day of Eid but before the Eid prayer for the reason that the Muslim community was still small and limited in number. During the time of the Companions the payment was made one or two days before the Eid.

After the spread of Islam the jurists permitted its payment from the beginning and middle of Ramadan so as to ensure that the Zakat Al Fitr reached its beneficiaries on the day of Eid, thereby avoiding the possibility that the process of distribution would delay reception of the payment after the day of Eid. After explaining the different views regarding the time of payment, Sheikh Atiyyah Saqr stated that these differences of opinion among the jurists justify some leniency for Muslims in regard to the time of payment, and therefore a Muslim can pay at any of these times. He also took the view that paying it at different times gives the poor and needy the opportunity to benefit from Zakat Al Fitr and fulfil their needs for longer periods.

These differences are due to taking into consideration both the needs of the poor and the opportunity of getting to the wisdom behind the obligation of Zakat Al Fitr. Therefore, the most acceptable and practical approach is to apply whichever practice fulfils the purpose and wisdom behind Zakat Al Fitr, that is bringing happiness to the poor on the day of Eid and giving their children a chance to enjoy this day as others do.

(Times Of Oman / 07 July 2015)

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Use zakat money to promote modern education

MUMBAI: Carrying a small bag in one hand and an umbrella in the other, Maulana Kalimullah Qasmi roams the rain-swept streets of Mumbai. His bag holds several receipt books and a list of past and potential donors of zakat -the 2.5% share of annual savings and rental income that Muslim families give to charity. 

Qasmi is one among hundreds of zakat collectors who visit Mumbai once in a year during Ramzan. The city is home to some of the wealthiest Muslims in the country . "The community isn't doing me any favour. In fact, it's the other way around. Someone who can afford to give zakat but doesn't will be held accountable by Allah," says Qasmi, who collects the money on behalf of a madrassa in Sitamarhi, Bihar. 

One of the five pillars of Islam (other four pillars are shahdah or declaration that God is one and Muhammad is his prophet, namaz, roza or fasting in Ramzan and haj or pilgrimage to Mecca), zakat is meant to help in the economic uplifting of the community. But unorganized collection and under-utilization of the funds have hampered the cause. Nearly 60% of the total zakat money collected in India is reportedly being cornered by madrassas, including fake ones. Now there's a rising clamour within the community to reduce the contribution to Islamic seminaries. There is a demand to instead use the funds to facilitate self-employment and modern education of members.

"Zakat should be aimed at eradicating poverty , not perpetuating it.The same individuals or madrassas keep grabbing a huge chunk of zakat money year after year," says Amir Idrisi, president of Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP). At a meeting held last week on "proper utilization of zakat money", held by AMP, speakers articulated the growing feeling that a substantial portion of the total zakat money goes to madrassa which educate just a fraction of the Muslim population. "The Sachar report said only 4% of the Muslim children go to madrassas. So the community should be really worried about how to educate the 96% who attend schools," said activist Saeed Khan. 

Zakat is considered obligatory for every Muslim who is `sahebe nisaab', one whose annual saving equals not less than the value of 77 gm gold (around Rs 1.92 lakh) or 520 gm silver (Rs 18120). Most Muslims give zakat according to the value of gold, not silver. According to AMP's math, if there are around 18.75 crore Muslims in India and each family has on an average five members, there would be 3.75 crore Muslim families. Out of this, even if 20% are zakat givers, it makes for 75 lakh families. At 2.5% of the minimum eligible annual wealth, the total zakat money would amount to approximately Rs 3,600 crore. However, many experts believe this is a highly "faulty" figure. "The economic condition of Indian Muslims has improved and at least 50% of the Muslim families give zakat. There are many big businessmen who give zakat in crores. The total zakat money would be anything between Rs 45,000 crore to 50,000 crore," says economist Dr Rahmatullah who is familiar with the pattern of zakat and whose organization All India Council of Muslim Upliftment (AICMU) collects and distributes zakat money through its wing called Baitul Zakat (House of Zakat). He also said that an authentic survey of zakat needs to be done. 

Why do madrassas corner a lion's share of all this money? Islamic scholar Maulana Wahiduddin Khan says the trend can be traced to the Quranic verse (9:60) which describes the kind of people eligible to seek zakat.The verse, as translated by Maulana Khan, says: "Alms are only for the poor and the destitute, for those who collect zakat, for conciliating people's hearts, for freeing slaves, for those in debt, for spending for God's cause, and for travellers in need. It is a legal obligation enjoined by God. God is all-knowing and wise." Although the verse does not provide for zakat money to be spent on religious education, those who run madrassas seek the funds in the name of poor children attending the schools, says Khan. 

Collection of zakat and its distribution remain messy as there is no central zakat fund. Former civil servant Zafar Mahmood who established Zakat Foundation of India in 1998 says: "My foundation's main aims include organized collection and institutionalized distribution of zakat. We use zakat fund to run orphanages and educationally empower the Muslim youths." 

Many also question the trend of giving zakat only in the month of Ramzan though it can be given anytime in the year. Since it is believed that every good deed done in Ramzan brings blessings 70 times more than in any other month, most Muslims give zakat in this month. "While it is true that Ramzan brings boundless divine bounties, collection and distribution of zakat should not be confined to just one month," says senior cleric Maulana Shoeb Koti who calls those who seek zakat year after year "professional beggars." "These beggars are a bane and must be discouraged," advocates Maulana Koti. "Once you have taken zakat, you should be zakat giver not seeker." The likes of Maulana Qasmi who travel long distances to collect zakat will disagree.

(Times Of India / 24 June 2015)

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UAE Fatwa Q&As: How much zakat should I pay?

 You should not sever the relationship with your brother. Aside from the command of Allah in this regard, it is always mutually beneficial to keepcontact with him because it would allow you to advise him and potentially change his behaviour. Muslims have a duty to communicate with their blood relatives even if they have been treated badly by them.

Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that a person said to the Prophet Mohammed: “O Messenger of Allah, I have relatives with whom I try to have a relationship, but they sever (this relation). I treat them well, but they treat me badly. I am kind to them but they are harsh towards me.”

The Prophet replied: “If the matter is as you have said, then it is as if hot ashes are being thrown in their faces and there will always remain with you on behalf of Allah support with regards to them as long as you adhere to this (path of patience).”

Q: I am confused as to what amount I need to pay as zakat. I recently earned Dh180,000 and invested it in the stock market. I also have about Dh2,500 in a current account and am paying off an interest-free loan of about Dh18,000. I know that zakat is usually 2.5 per cent of a Muslim’s total wealth. So to which amount would this be applied?

A: Zakat is of paramount importance in our religion for, as the name implies, it is a purification of one’s wealth that has many spiritual benefits for giver and recipient.

To ascertain the amount of zakat you pay, calculate the remaining assets after deducting any debts you owe and then determine whether they exceed the nisab threshold of 85 grams of gold, as per its value on that same day. Provided your net worth is more than the nisab threshold, you would then need to pay zakat at a rate of 2.5 per cent on all assets.

To answer your question specifically, on the relevant zakat payment date you would need to add the financial value of your shares and any free cash. Provided you do not own other fixed assets such as property, you may deduct the amount of interest-free debt that you owe from this amount. If the resultant amount is above the financial value of 85 grams of gold then you would need to pay zakat at a rate of 2.5 per cent on all assets.

If the shares were purchased with the intention for resale then the entire holding, as per their market value on the nisab date, would be subject to zakat.

(The National UAE / 11 June 2015)

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Jakim leaves it to states to decide on zakat aid for Rohingya

It is up to the Islamic Religious Council of each state to decide whether to provide assistance to the oppressed Rohingya using zakat (or tithes), said Islamic Development Department (Jakim) director-general Datuk Othman Mustapha.

He said although there were views that Malaysia's poor should be given priority to receive zakat compared to the Rohingyas, it was not wrong to give the assistance on humanitarian grounds.

"We already have recipients of the monthly zakat and in the Federal Territories alone there are 27,000 monthly recipients. Maybe the remaining could be used to help the group (Rohingya refugees).

He said this to reporters after launching the “Salam Kasih Ramadan” programme, organised by the Malaysian Islamic Aid and SalamFM, in Putrajaya today.

Othman said other suitable forms of aid, like fundraising in mosques could also be channelled to the refugees.

"Malaysians are generous and like to donate. Donations collected every Friday at large mosques can reach up to RM20,000. It can also be used to help them," he said.

On Tuesday, Othman agreed with Pahang mufti Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Osman's statement that the zakat could be used to help the refugees.

Rahman said the Rohingya refugees could be categorised as among the groups eligible to receive zakat including the destitute, the poor and Muslim converts. 

(The Malaysian Insider / 05 June 2015)

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Maldives: More than 50,800 eligible for Zakat

More than 50,800 people across the country are eligible for Zakat (alms for the poor) this year, the Islamic ministry has revealed.

Zakat is an obligatory alms tax collected from the accumulated wealth of all able Muslims.

Deputy minister for Islamic affairs Dr Aishath Muneeza told the press on Monday that more than 13,000 people in Malé and 37,800 people in other islands are registered as poor.

Muneeza said the ministry plans to distribute MVR20 million (US$1.2 million) before Ramadan at a rate of MVR400 (US$26) per person, noting that the sum was the highest so far.

The ministry collected a record MVR52 million (US$3.3 million) as property Zakat last year. The registered number of poor in 2014 was more than 53,000.

Muneeza noted that Zakat payments can also be made through Dhiraagu and Ooreedoo.

Newly appointed Islamic minister Dr Ahmed Ziyad said at the press conference that renovation work on several mosques across the country will begin next week with a target of completion before Ramadan.

(Minivan News / 26 May 2015)

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