SELANGOR SULTAN URGES MUSLIMS TO PAY ZAKAT ONLY TO STATE-APPOINTED COLLECTORS

SHAH ALAM, Nov 1 (Bernama) -- The Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has called on the Muslims in Selangor to pay their zakat (tithe) directly to the appointed amil (collectors) in the state.

His Royal Highness said this is because there were cases where certain agents, appointed by Islamic religious councils from other states, have collected zakat in Selangor, which is outside the designated area.

In a post on the Selangor Royal Office’s Facebook page today, Sultan Sharafuddin highlighted that the promise of high rebates has driven these agents to aggressively collect zakat across state borders even though it violates their state’s Syariah Criminal Offences Enactment.

“Zakat funds in Selangor are crucial for supporting the asnaf (tithe recipients), and the required amount is RM1.36 billion.

“If zakat collections are ‘smuggled’ elsewhere by irresponsible parties, it will deny asnaf in Selangor the aid they rightfully deserve,” he said.

Therefore, Sultan Sharafuddin urged Muslims in Selangor to heed today’s Friday sermon, titled “Pay to the Appointed Amil in Selangor,” delivered in mosques across the state.

He reminded that the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) is solely responsible for managing Islamic affairs in the state, including appointing or accrediting zakat collectors.

His Royal Highness explained that under syariah rulings, collecting zakat beyond the state’s border is an offence, and payments made to unauthorised agents are deemed invalid.

“Let us imagine the predicament of zakat given to these irresponsible entities, what was deemed as valid and having fulfilled the obligation, but instead remain invalid and its obligation unfulfilled.

“What are the implications of not fulfilling zakat? The fate of those not spending their wealth fulfilling zakat is severe punishment in the hereafter,” he said.

-- BERNAMA