Zakat All praise is due to Allah.

He extends provision for whom He wills of His servants and restricts for him. I extol Him as is befitting to His glorious sovereignty and status. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship, except for Allah alone without any partners or peers. To Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever is within them. And He is over all things competent. I also witness that Muhammad SAW is His servant and Messenger, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his family, his Companions, and all those who will follow them in righteousness till the Day of Judgment. O Servants of Allah, I urge you and myself to be mindful of Allah (SWT), in light of what He says, so fear Allah as much as you are able and listen and obey and spend [in the way of Allah]; it is better for your selves. (Attaghabun: 16). He SWT also says, so give good tidings to My servants who listen to speech and follow the best of it. (Azzumar: 17-18). Dear Believers, As we approach the blessed Ramadan, let us recall the virtues of this month during which good deeds increase, letting people engage further in acts of worship and charity. It is also a month of mercy and good time for Muslims to spend and give out alms, most importantly Zakat, about which Allah (SWT) says, and those within whose wealth is a known right for the petitioner and the deprived. (al Maarij: 24-25). Zakat is a type of alms an able Muslim must pay based on an amount of wealth accumulated around a full lunar year. Because of its importance the Almighty Allah has associated it with prayers in many places in the holy Quran. Ibn Abbas (RAD) said, three verses were revealed as mutually dependent and none of them can stand alone. The first verse O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger, clearly states that if someone who obeys Allah but fails to obey the Prophet, his submission shall not be accepted. The second verse and establish prayer and give zakah , shows that prayers and Zakat are associated in a way that acceptance of the former depends on fulfilling the latter. The third verse Be grateful to Me and to your parents , affirms that thanking Allah is incomplete and cannot be accepted without thanking ones parents. In view of its high merits, observance of Zakat is looked at as a quality that distinguishes people of the faith as Allah (SWT) says, these are the verses of the Qur'an and a clear Book as guidance and good tidings for the believers who establish prayer and give zakah, and of the Hereafter they are certain [in faith]. (Annaml: 1-3). Zakat is also seen as a salvation from Hellfire for Allah (SWT) says, So I have warned you of a Fire which is blazing. None will [enter to] burn therein except the most wretched one who had denied and turned away. But the righteous one will avoid it - [He] who gives [from] his wealth to purify himself. (Allayl: 14-18). Thus, it is a way to obtain mercy and forgiveness. On this account Allah (SWT) says, but My mercy encompasses all things." So I will decree it [especially] for those who fear Me and give zakah and those who believe in Our verses. (Al Aaraf: 156). Allah (SWT) has also promised those who pay Zakat double rewards. He says, and whatever you give for interest to increase within the wealth of people will not increase with Allah. But what you give in zakah, desiring the countenance of Allah - those are the multipliers. (Arrum: 39). So whoever gives out Zakat in fact purifies his self and money, as our Prophet SAW said, Allah has made Zakat obligatory simply to purify your remaining property. Dear Servants of Allah, This goes down to its literal meaning: to purify and make something grow and develop. Allah (SWT) says, take, [O, Muhammad], from their wealth a charity by

which you purify them and cause them increase, and invoke [Allah 's blessings] upon them. Indeed, your invocations are reassurance for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing. (Attawba: 103). Zakat is therefore meant to purify the heart of the wealthy from stinginess and the heart of the poor from envy and hatred. Moreover its payment fulfills ones duty towards the needy by giving them their rights from his wealth. In this sense, it is a purifying ritual that safeguards ones money and property from loss by giving out the assigned amount due to the poor amongst the community. It equally comforts the poor and brings him self-esteem. This way he will feel more valued within society, and see his morals amended. Thus, with some cash in hand, he can engage in trade and develop his own wealth. Allah (SWT) says, but whatever thing you spend [in His cause] He will compensate it; and He is the best of providers . (Sabaa: 39). Dear Believers, Please know that Zakat has its own ethics. First, its giver must primarily seek pleasing Allah and avoid downgrading this obligation by reminding others of ones favours for them. Allah says, O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders or injury. (Al Baqara: 264). Second, Zakat money must only be from permissible sources for Allah (SWT) is Good and accepts only that which is good. He the Almighty said, O you who have believed, spend from the good things which you have earned and from that which We have produced for you from the earth. And do not aim toward the defective therefrom, spending [from that]. (Al Baqara: 267). Last but not least, it should preferably go first to relatives and other ties of kinship. In so doing the giver will be doubly rewarded. Our Prophet SAW said, Charity towards a poor person is charity, and towards a relation is both charity and maintaining the ties (of kinship). O Servants of Allah, please obey Allah as it should be by observing Him in private and in public, and be aware that a Muslim is responsible for paying Zakat on time. Being late in doing this is a transgression of the poors rights, something which our Prophet SAW warned against when he sent Muaad bin Jabal (RAD) to Yemen. He SAW addressed him (Muaad) saying, teach them that Allah has made it obligatory for them to pay the Zakat from their property and it is to be taken from the wealthy among them and given to the poor. So please hurry to give Zakat to those eligible for it and whenever is due. Allah the Almighty says, Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakah] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler - an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise. (Attawba: 60). In this context, our wise leadership has set up the Zakat Fund with the mission of raising Zakat money and disbursing it to the eligible segments of society fairly and in accordance to religious rules. With this spirit, let us then engage in efforts to help it achieve its role, promote social solidarity, and strengthen bonds of love and affection amongst members of the community. However, should you have any questions regarding Zakat, you are invited to contact the Fatwa reference authority within specialised competent entities, including the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments.