As a vocal critic of inefficient zakat distribution, newly re-appointed Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin has gotten back on the saddle by cycling around Perlis to find those deserving of aid.

Pictures on his Facebook shows Asri, who first served as Perlis mufti in 2006, showed him with Perlis crown prince Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Syed Sirajuddin during rounds on two wheels on Monday to find zakat recipients.

Dressed in sports gear and without official protocol, the mufti with other cyclists headed into the interiors crossing streams and paddy fields to deliver the tithe to those in dire need.

“It is worth it because I get to see how the recipients truly live,” said the Oxford University scholar, who is also Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) lecturer, on Facebook .

When contacted, Asri told Malaysiakini , “I hope those managing the zakat will seek out the deserving and not leave it to the poor to scramble for what is their right.”

He said Tuanku Syed Faizuddin, who is the Perlis Islamic Affairs Council’s patron, cycles to find zakat recipients on a weekly basis, sometimes twice a week.

“I have always supported this move and has followed (the prince) on his trips several times now,” he said.

He ended his Facebook posting by lamenting his sore limbs after taking to cycling after a long break.

“In any case, those interested in the sport are welcome to join in charitable activities like this one in Perlis,” he wrote.