Fatwa's Insights - Worship

THE 35TH MEETING OF THE PERLIS STATE FATWA COMMITTEE / 2018

8 – 9 MARCH 2018 / 20 – 21 JAMADIL AKHIR 1439H

ZAKAT FOR DISASTER VICTIMS

The Meeting of the Perlis State Fatwa Committee unanimously agreed upon the following resolution:

1. Victims Housed in Temporary Shelters as a Result of Natural Disaster

Victims placed in temporary relief centres following a natural disaster, who are evidently in need of basic necessities such as food, drink, personal essentials, clothing, and the like, are entitled to receive zakat assistance to meet such needs. This provision extends to both Muslims and non-Muslims.

2. Victims Who Have Suffered Destruction of Property, Dwelling, or the Like

Victims who have suffered destruction of property, dwelling, or the like as a result of a disaster may receive zakat allocations where the disaster has resulted in hardship affecting the course of their daily life — such as giving rise to new debt burdens, or causing damage to essential living needs that imposes a burden, or any other encumbrance affecting the conduct of their livelihood. The zakat management authority may ascertain such circumstances through testimony and supporting evidence from the victim. Where a victim does not fall within this category, assistance may still be provided, without drawing upon the zakat portion.

As for victims from among the non-Muslim community, assistance may be given under the asnaf muallaf (new convert / those whose hearts are to be reconciled) category.

Endorsed at the Meeting of the Perlis Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council, No. 2/2018, held on 15 March 2018.