The Zakat Fund and Non-Muslims in Malaysia

Abstract

The state Islamic religious authorities in Malaysia distribute zakat funds only to Muslims. In this situation, two questions arise: What about the non-Muslims who are poor and in-need? Are these groups of people not eligible for Zakat Funds? The current paper aims to analyse the distribution of zakat funds by state Islamic religious authorities in Malaysia to non-Muslims. The two aspects analysed were the practise of zakat fund distribution to non-Muslims during the times of the Prophet (PBUH), and the Rashidun Caliphate. In this aspect, the views of classical scholars were considered. The second aspect is the view of contemporary scholars in Malaysia regarding the distribution of zakat funds to non-Muslims. This aspect was argued in the interest of the current set up, as the distribution of zakat funds to non-Muslims must be seriously examined by the state Islamic religious authorities.