Anwar accepts Selangor sultan’s decree on zakat

SM Amin SM Amin Updated 4 years ago · Published on 6 Nov 2019 1:20PM · 2 Comments

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has given an explanation to the Selangor palace about his remarks on zakat and its distribution to non-Muslims. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, November 6, 2019.

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim said today he accepts Selangor sultan’s decree that tithes collected from Muslims could only be distributed among poor Muslims who need aid.

He has also contacted Istana Selangor to explain his remarks that zakat centres must undergo a transformation to overcome poverty among Muslims and to help non-Muslims.

The Port Dickson MP said his view on transforming the zakat distribution is done so that Islam would be seen as a fair religion to everyone, not just Muslims.

“I just wanted religious scholars and institutions to discuss and debate the matter and then make a decision. It was only my view.

“If the decision is not to allocate alms to others, then it is okay. I was merely proposing a fresh look at the matter.

“If the decision is as what the sultan had decreed, then we have to stick to it, as religious matters are under the purview of the state and sultan,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby.

Following news reports of two state mufti and Anwar talking about giving alms to non-Muslims, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah on Monday said zakat is only meant for deserving Muslim recipients.

Non-Muslims in the state could only receive zakat if they intend to embrace Islam, the sultan said, adding that there were many needy Muslims.

On Saturday, the Perlis Fatwa Council issued an edict allowing non-Muslims in the state to receive zakat as they were “muallafah qulubuhum”, or the people whose attitude and perception of Islam needed to be harmonised.

Perlis mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin said the edict was passed by the state fatwa council during a meeting on February 3, 2017.

Asri said it is up to the “ulil amri” or government to set the conditions for non-Muslims to receive zakat.

“It is as Prophet Muhammad did for the non-Muslims among the musyrikin and tribal leaders as contained in the valid ‘sirah’ (narrative histories of the Prophet’s life and activities),” he said.

Asri also urged Muslims not to fear that the tithe money would be quickly depleted if it were also given to non-Muslims. – November 6, 2019.

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Comments

  • So taxes collected from NON-muslims and genting's gambling activities how?

    Posted 4 years ago by Mahsuri Sighs · Reply

  • The Sultan of Selangor should learn from the Sultan of Johor. Zakat is for the poor-does not matter from where they come from-Look at the Koran. Nowhere does it say treat the poor unfairly! One needs to look at one self before handing out edits, and I say this in a way that does not respect the position of the Sultan. My suggestion is that you be the Sultan of everyone, or just the Malays and Muslims. Dont expect loyalty from Non-Muslims as you have segregated your people unilaterally. It is sad. The Sultan of Johor embraces all his people.

    Posted 4 years ago by Fareed Kassim · Reply