Use of zakat for MAIWP legal costs in line with Islamic law, says mufti

January 11, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 11 — The use of zakat funds for legal costs in cases involving the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) is in accordance with Islamic law and the syariah law as enforced in the Federal Territory, Datuk Wan Zahidi Wan Teh was quoted by Bernama Online as saying today.

The Federal Territory mufti said in a statement that the Federal Territory Islamic Law Consultative Committee (JPHSWP) meeting held on September 3, 2009 to discuss MAIWP’s budget allocation for 2010 had approved RM205,000 for legal costs under the asnaf fisabilillah (aid from zakat funds for the Islamic struggle) category.

He said the allocation is necessary as Article 5(2), Section II of the Federal Territory Islamic Law Administration Act, 1993 (Act 55) states that the council can legally charge and be charged on its name.

He added it also takes into consideration cases in which a court decision is required such as the surrender of the bodies of Muslim converts by non-Muslim family members for burial.

Wan Zahidi said JPHSWP had sought the opinion of ulama, such as Imam Al-Fakhrul Razi and Sheikh Rasyid Rida, who interpreted asnaf fisabilillah as covering a broader scope than jihad alone.

He said the latter interpreted fisabilillah as “everything that touches the interests of the Muslim community in administering and enforcing Islamic law”.