JAKARTA - Minister of Religion Nasaruddin Umar emphasized that zakat should not be used or utilized outside the provisions of eight asnaf (people who are entitled to receive) as regulated in the Quran.
The clarification was made to dispel misinformation that the Ministry of Religion maximized zakat for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program.
"Zakat should not be used outside of its beneficiaries. Do not give this zakat to non-beneficiaries. That is a Sharia issue," said the Minister of Religion, quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, February 25.
The Minister of Religion stated that zakat has strict sharia rules and should not be used outside the designated recipient group. He referred to God's words in QS At-Taubah verse 60, which explains the eight groups (asnaf) of zakat recipients.
The verse states that zakat is intended for the poor (people who do not have property and work to meet basic needs), and the poor (people who have jobs but the results are not enough for daily needs).
Then, amil (officers in accordance with the provisions set as managers of zakat), mu'allaf (people who have just converted to Islam), riqab (slaves), gharimin, fii sabilillah (people who fight in the path of God), and ibnu sabil (people who are on the road).
"I think that's very important. Give zakat as what is stated in the asnaf in a clear way. I think that's very important. Don't give zakat to those who are not entitled," said the Minister of Religion.
Previously, the Head of the Public Relations and Public Communication Bureau (HKP) of the Ministry of Religion, Thobib Al Asyhar, had also confirmed that there was no policy on the distribution of zakat associated with MBG.
"There is no zakat policy for MBG. We ensure that the distribution of zakat is carried out in accordance with syariat and laws and regulations," he said.
According to Thobib, in Article 25 of Law No. 23 of 2011 concerning Zakat Management, it is stipulated that zakat must be distributed to the beneficiaries in accordance with Islamic law.
Mustahik is the person who has the right to receive zakat. Meanwhile, in Article 26, it is emphasized that the distribution of zakat, as referred to in Article 25, is carried out based on the priority scale by taking into account the principles of equity, justice, and territoriality.
"Zakat is a trust of the people that must be maintained and distributed according to the provisions of sharia. The rights of the mustahik are a priority in every policy of managing zakat funds," he said.
Thobib also emphasized that zakat management is carried out professionally, transparently, and accountable through official institutions that are supervised and audited periodically, both through the National Zakat Amil Agency (Baznas) and the Zakat Amil Agency (LAZ).
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