To HRH The Sultan of Selangor : Sectarianism Is Based On Opinions

Ke Bawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Baginda Sultan Selangor. Ampun Tuanku.

First here is some news :

PETALING JAYA: Zakat collections can only be distributed to eight groups of asnaf (eligible zakat recipients), including asnaf fakir dan miskin (those without any material possessions or means of livelihood), as well as asnaf mualaf (those who recently embraced Islam), says Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

He said while Islam emphasised humanitarian qualities, zakat collected from Muslims must only be distributed to eight groups of asnaf, who are Muslims, especially the poor and those in need of aid.

"In Selangor, there are still many poor Muslims living in rural areas, as well as the urban poor who must be assisted through zakat collections.

"Majority of the people in Selangor are Muslims and the number of Muslims (in the state) increases every year," the Sultan said in a statement, which was issued by Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani, who is the Sultan's private secretary.

The Selangor Ruler was commenting on reports in media outlets and on social media, over statements made by two muftis and a politician regarding the distribution of zakat to non-Muslims.

He has also sought the counsel of Selangor Mufti regarding zakat distributions, which stated that zakat could only be distributed to non-Muslims if it is the reason behind them converting to Islam under the asnaf Mu'allafati Qulubuhum.

"It is the responsibility of the government through various departments and agencies to assist non-Muslims, who are poor," he said.

Sultan Sharafuddin reminded the people that the functions of zakat and income tax are different, thus he hoped that society understands clearly the reason behind the establishment of an organisation.

The Selangor Ruler also called on all parties to stop debating the issue of zakat distributions in the mass media.

"No party should take advantage by using issues relating to Islam, to gain popularity or to endear themselves to certain segments," he said. 

My comments :  The statement by HRH the Sultan of Selangor has come about after two other muftis (of other States) have declared that the zakat charity money can indeed be distributed to non Muslims as well. 

The debate is whether zakat money can or cannot be distributed to non Muslims. 

His Highness the Sultan has stated that the subject of zakat distribution "should not be debated in the mass media, to gain popularity or to endear themselves to certain segments."

So I will not discuss this issue of how zakat money should be distributed.

But I would like to share some thoughts about the word zakat in the Quran and also about charity in the Quran. 

The simple fact that the muftis can have opposite opinions about the distribution of zakat  money is evidence enough that this is NOT WRITTEN IN THE QURAN. 

It is an opinion of the muftis. The muftis themselves will draw upon other opinions of other religious people from long ago.

These differences in opinions gave rise to sectarianism. 

As we are aware there are two major sects today ie the Sunnis and the Shias. The Sunnis are further broken up into smaller subsects like the Hanafi, Maliki, Hanbali etc. 

The Shias too have their smaller sects like the Twelvers, the Fivers, the Zaydi, the Ismaili etc.

The sects differ in their opinions over many religious matters. 

Whether or not the zakat money can be distributed to non Muslims is just one example. 

What does the Quran say about the word zakat and about charities?  

The word zakat appears over 80 times in the Quran but it has nothing to do with taxes or charity. In the Quran zakat literally means purification.  

I can tell you with absolute certainty that there is not a single verse in the Quran that connects the word zakat to money, charity or religious taxation. 

You are most welcome to read the Quran and prove otherwise.

I have repeated many times that in order to understand it the Quran MUST be read literally. 

Right down to the meaning of the roots of the words used in the Quran (the root words).

Literally the word zakat itself DOES NOT MEAN CHARITY. 

Literally zakat in the Quran means to purify. It is related to purification. 

Here are two examples of the correct rendering of the word zakat in the Quran :

19:13 And tenderness from Us and purity (ZAKATAN), and he was one who guarded (against evil)

(Arabic transliteration : Wahanaanan min ladunna wa ZAKATAN wakaana taqiyyan).

Here is another very interesting verse because it mentions BOTH sadaqah (alms/charity) and zakat (purifying)

9:103 Take alms (SADAQATAN) out of their property, you would cleanse them and purify them (ZAKKEEHIM) thereby . . . 

(Arabic transliteration : hudh min amwaalihim SADAQATAN tu-tahirru-hum wa tu-ZAKKEEHIM)

So sadaqah means alms/charity and zakat means to purify. 

There are no verses in the Quran where the word zakat is used to describe or detail or define the payment of a 2.5% zakat tax or zakat contribution which is practised by the religious authorities. The 2.5% is not mentioned anywhere in the Quran.

CHARITY IN THE QURAN

The correct word for charity in the Quran is sadaqah while nafkah also means to spend in charity.

Unlike zakat, both the words sadaqah and nafkah are explained in detail as charity in the Quran.  

Sadaqah charity

9:58 And of them there are those who blame you with respect to the alms (sadaqah); so if they are given from it they are pleased, and if they are not given from it, lo! they are full of rage.

9:59 And if they were content with what Allah and His Apostle gave them, and had said: Allah is sufficient for us; Allah will soon give us (more) out of His grace and His Apostle too; surely to Allah do we make our petition.

9:60 Sadaqah is for the poor, the destitute, those who collect it, reconciling people’s hearts, freeing slaves, those in debt, spending in the way of Allah and travelers. An obligation imposed by Allah. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

Nafkah charity

2:215 They ask you as to what they should spend (nafkah). Say: Whatever wealth you spend, it is for the parents and the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer, and whatever good you do, Allah surely knows it.

2:219 .  .  .. .. .. And they ask you as to what they should spend (nafkah). Say: What you can spare. Thus does Allah make clear to you the revelations, that you may ponder.

These and many more verses in the Quran speak of sadaqah and nafkah as acts of charity. 

However not a single one of the 80 verses in the Quran which mention the word zakat define zakat in similar language as nafkah and sadaqah - meaning having anything to do with alms, charity, religious tithes, a 2 ½ percent religious tax rate, or ‘giving zakat’ to the parents, the poor, the orphan or the wayfarer. 

Zakat simply means to purify.

In the Quran sadaqah and nafkah refer to charity and alms.

In the Quran charity is to be given directly by the donors to :

“..parents and the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer, and whatever good you do..”

The Quran says it is up to you to give nafkah from your surplus. You decide how much.

2:219 ..And they ask you as to what they should spend (nafkah). Say: WHAT YOU CAN SPARE. Thus does Allah make clear to you the revelations, that you may ponder. 

This is just some information from the Quran about the words zakat, nafkah and sedeqah. 

I hope HRH the Sultan will find it useful.