Fatwa's Insights - Islamic Finance
Zakat For Disaster Victims
THE 35TH MEETING OF THE PERLIS STATE FATWA COMMITTEE / 2018
8 - 9 MAC 2018 / 20 - 21 JAMADIL AKHIR 1439H
ZAKAT FOR DISASTER VICTIMS
The meeting of the Fatwa Committee of the State of Perlis unanimously agreed upon the following resolutions:
a) Victims Residing in Temporary Shelters Due to Natural Disasters
Victims who are placed in temporary shelter centers due to natural disasters who are evidently in need of basic necessities such as food, drink, personal basic needs, clothing, and the like, are entitled to receive zakat assistance to fulfill such needs. This includes both Muslims and non-Muslims.
b) Victims Who Suffered Destruction of Property, Residence, and the Like
Victims who suffered destruction of property, residence, and the like due to disaster may receive zakat allocation if such disaster results in hardship to their daily life, such as resulting in new debt obligations and burdensome damage to life necessities, as well as any burden that affects their life requirements. The zakat management may identify such circumstances through witnesses and evidence (qarinah) from the victims. If the victims do not fall within this category of assistance, assistance may be provided without involving zakat funds.
As for victims from the non-Muslim community, they may be provided for under the category of Muallaf.