DSD’s View

The Selangor State Fatwa Committee Meeting held on 18 July 2023 concerning the Selangor State Zakat Collection Management System 2023 decided that:⁷

“The nisab for zakat (income) is based on the value of the weight of 85 grams of gold at the current price.”

Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi, in his book Fiqh az-Zakah, states:⁸

Since Income Zakat is benchmarked to the nisab of currency, which is equivalent to the value of 85 grams of gold or 20 mithqal (dinars), and people receive their salaries and income in the form of currency, it is most appropriate that the nisab for Income Zakat be determined based on the nisab of currency.

Based on the arguments above, a person who intends to fulfil Income Zakat is obliged to pay it in the form of money, and it is not valid to fulfil it in the form of goods.

Furthermore, the payment of zakat in the form of money better serves the public interest (maslahah) and fulfils the real needs of the asnaf compared to the provision of goods. This is because by receiving money, the asnaf are able to obtain their essential necessities.

On the other hand, the provision of zakat in the form of goods raises concerns that the asnaf may not need those goods, or that the goods received may not fulfil their essential needs and those of their dependants, such as food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and the like.

Therefore, the payment of zakat in the form of purchasing copies of the Qur’an to be given to the asnaf is not valid, as it contradicts the texts of the Shariah and does not fulfil the Maqasid Shariah of zakat, which is to meet the needs and basic necessities of the asnaf and their dependants.

Hence, zakat funds may be utilised for other purposes that are more prioritised and that bring greater benefit to the Muslim community.