Fatwa's Insights - Islamic Finance

THE 36TH MEETING OF THE PERLIS STATE FATWA COMMITTEE / 2018

8 - 9 MAC 2018 / 20 - 21 JAMADIL AKHIR 1439H

GUIDELINES FOR ZAKAT COLLECTORS OF THE PERLIS ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS COUNCIL AND MALAY CUSTOMARY PRACTICES (MAIPs)

A. Guidelines When Collecting Zakat:

1. Ensuring that the zakāt payer (al-muzakki) fulfils the conditions and qualifications for discharging zakāt.

2. Ensuring that the amount of zakat payment received corresponds precisely to the Guidelines for Disbursing Zakat that have been established by MAIPs.

3. There is no specific prescribed wording required during the payment of zakāt. What is required is the intention to perform zakāt, together with any verbal expression or written statement indicating that the contribution is made for the purpose of zakāt payment.

4. It is encouraged to pray for the goodness of the zakat payer after receiving zakat.

4.1 Among the supplications that may be recited are as follows:

اللهم صل عليهم، اللهم بارك فيه، وفي ماله

O Allah, send blessings upon them; O Allah, bless him and his wealth

4.2 Or, the following supplication may be recited for the zakāt payer:

أجرك الله فيما أعطيت، وبارك لك فيما أبقيت

May Allāh reward you for what you have given and bless you in what you have retained

 5. Issuing an accurate receipt as proof of zakāt payment to the payer.

6. It is impermissible to accept any gifts or rewards from the zakāt payer.

7. Ensuring that zakāt contributions are kept in a safe place and delivered to MAIPs within the stipulated time frame.

B. Guidelines When Distributing Zakat

1. Ensuring that recipients are from among the categories of eligible to receive zakat based on the Adequacy Limit that has been established in the MAIPs Zakat Distribution Guidelines.

2. Recipients of house repair assistance and fitrah assistance shall be decided through the Mosque District Committee Meeting.

3. It is impermissible to accept any gifts or rewards from zakāt recipients.

General Guidelines

1. All directives issued by MAIPs must be strictly observed.

2. Assisting MAIPs in carrying out zakāt distribution, whether through outreach programs or by identifying eligible recipients in need of assistance.

3. Conducting promotional activities for zakāt collection on behalf of MAIPs.