“Malaysian Muslims are committing a sin when they give zakat (alms) to the poor, instead of handing the contributions to the government's zakat collection centres... the government would ensure that all those in need would receive equal help. Direct alms-giving would see people who were more needy but less adept at speaking and asking for help, deprived of the aid they deserved... injustice in terms of distribution.”

These are the words from the Federal Territory Zakat Centre (PPZ-MAIWP) chairperson. The 76th National Fatwa Council in November 2006 is in line with his view. A former Terengganu mufti said not only it is sinful but also invalid.

Let us look at how zakat is collected at the most successful zakat collector - PPZ-MAIWP.

PPZ-MAIWP is an agency set up by the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) began operating on Jan 1, 1991, to collect all types of zakat. It is privatised and managed by Hartasuci Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MAIWP. Shown in the PPZ-MAIWP 2014 report (Report), the amount of zakat collected was RM533 million, an increase of 10 percent from 2013. For the whole country, RM2.53 billion was collected.

Congratulations to PPZ-MAIWP for a job well done.

However, the distribution of zakat is under Bahagian Baitulmal, MAIWP.

Of the RM553 million collected, details were provided only for about RM330 million that were distributed. Of this, RM119 million were for mosques, suraus, NGOs and higher education. The rest which was not reported could be for ‘Fisabilillah’ (in the cause of Allah) purposes.

Now, let us look at the distribution of zakat for Malacca in 2014 (RM57.1 million) which was also shown in the Report. The poor (Miskin - 8,336 recipients) got an average of RM2,135/year per person but disbursements to the Amil (ones who are appointed to collect zakat - 90 recipients) averaged RM93,378. Obviously the latter include administration and distribution (for the zakat) costs.

Back to committing a sin. This is a real life example.

The husband of an unemployed lady in Malacca was to meet his Maker early. He left behind seven children, age ranging from four to 15 and one of them is disabled. Monthly, Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat provides food to the value of RM200 and the disabled child gets RM150. Pusat zakat gives RM400. Fortunately, there is a pension of RM1,000 per month.

Are these enough to feed and maintain one adult and seven growing-up children, some school-going?

My point is why the poor is given pittance whilst a big portion goes to the other seven Asnafs? Some would argue that it should be divided equally but if we look at the number of recipients in the Fakir and Miskin category, there are about 25,000 and 8,600 recipients in Wilayah Persekutuan and Malacca respectively.

Next, why does Baitulmal distribute so much to NGOs, mosques and suraus when the Federal Territory Islamic Department (Jawi) has a division each for Dakwah and Pengurusan Masjid? Obviously there will be budgets along with it.

The Department of Islamic Advancement of Malaysia’s (Jakim) website does not have information on its budget allocation and how money being spent. It is interesting that HRH the Sultan of Johor wanted Jakim to explain its expenditure and justify its demand for RM1 billion in annual allocations. Jakim was reminded that the Conference of Malay Rulers was the highest authority on Islamic matters and that the agency’s function was only advisory.

‘Advised to do some self-reflection’

Many quarters had advised zakat collection centres and certain religious bodies to do some self-reflection. There were news on amounts spent on purposes that had nothing to do with their activities causing people to be hesitant and confused. The ‘Bersama Mu’ programme on TV3 is a good reflection of how effective is the zakat distribution.

It would be good to review their management practices and whether they are run properly and correctly in accordance with Islamic rules and values.

A simple example is the PPZ-MAIWP 2014 Report was published only in October 2015 despite it being privatised and using the latest technology.

Can someone tell me whether it is a sin for the relatives of the unemployed lady with seven growing-up children to give their zakat to her family instead of handing the contributions to the government’s zakat collection centres?

Safeguarding the relationship with relatives is so encouraged that relatives have been mentioned 23 times in the Holy Quran along with some valuable rulings relating to them. “Give the relatives their [due] right, and the needy and the traveller [as well], but do not squander wastefully” (Quran Al -Isra’17:26).

At these times, it is imperative that scholars give their fatwas in a manner that caters for the needs of society to defend against the intellectual onslaught against our values and way of life and aid us in fulfilling our religious obligations.