The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has officially launched the ‘Shariah Principles and Standards of Zakat Collection and Distribution,’ signifying the inaugural documentation and publication of such principles and standards in the Maldives. The launch event, held at the Islamic Centre hall, was presided over by Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed.
The newly unveiled principles and standards aim to provide a comprehensive framework for the effective and efficient management of zakat, in accordance with Islamic Shariah.The principles were formulated by the Zakat House, which is mandated with various aspects of zakat management, including collection, distribution, investment in Shariah-approved areas, public education, maintenance of a poverty registry, empowerment programmes, and the announcement of the nisab for Zakat Al-Mal.
In his address, Minister Shaheem highlighted the rationale behind President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s decision to establish the Zakat House. He characterised the new principles and standards as the foundational charter of the Zakat House, serving as the primary document and policy guide for its operations.
Director General of Zakat House, Izzaddin Adnan, expressed gratitude to Dr Shaheem for his support and prioritisation of the formulation of the Zakat principles and standards. The implementation of these principles would strengthen the Zakat House’s work and enable it to undertake additional initiatives, he added.
The principles and standards were developed based on the teachings of the Qur’an and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), as well as the principles of Islamic jurisprudence, including Ijma and Qiyas. They also incorporate fatwas issued by Islamic fiqh academies, resolutions from international Islamic conferences, and practices followed by Zakat offices in other Islamic countries.
The primary objectives of the Zakat principles and standards encompass declaring the goods or items subject to zakat in accordance with the Quran and Sunnah, establishing principles for goods requiring Zakat al-Mal payment, identifying contemporary goods subject to Zakat al-Mal, outlining general rules and procedures for zakat, and defining the roles and mandates of authorities responsible for zakat collection and distribution.
During the ceremony, officials of the Zakat House who played a significant role in formulating the principles and standards were honoured and presented with certificates of appreciation.