Rector Fathul Wahid of Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII) has asserted\nthat zakat is highly important in the life of Muslims and must continue\nto be popularised in Indonesia. He made the remarks in response to\npublic debate over zakat, including discussions about possibly using\nzakat funds for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme.<\/p>\n
\u2018Zakat is extremely important. The Minister of Religion yesterday\nalso corrected his remarks. The context was about comparing it with\nendowments (wakaf) and other things. But zakat remains obligatory. Very\nimportant,\u2019 Fathul said after laying the first stone for a house\nrehabilitation program in Ngemplak, Sleman, on Thursday 5 March\n2026.<\/p>\n
Fathul said zakat should remain a primary concern for Muslims.\nCampaigns and education on zakat, he believes, must continue so that\npublic awareness to fulfil it increases.<\/p>\n
When asked whether zakat should remain popular, Fathul stressed this\nis important amid a national zakat potential that is still far larger\nthan actual collection.<\/p>\n
\u2018It must be popular in Indonesia. What we popularise does not\nnecessarily mean everyone pays. Because the potential of zakat versus\nwhat is collected is not proportional. So we will continue to campaign\nfor zakat,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n
Fathul also responded to the widespread discussion about zakat funds\nwith the MBG programme. He noted that when viewed against the recipients\nof zakat or the eight asnaf, the MBG programme does not fall into the\ncategory eligible to receive zakat funds.<\/p>\n
Recipients of zakat are defined in eight categories or asnaf. The\neight asnaf are: fakir (a person who has no wealth and no work to meet\nbasic needs), miskin (a person who has work but whose income does not\nmeet daily needs), amil (the zakat administrator), mu\u2019allaf (new\nMuslims), riqab (enslaved people), gharimin (the indebted), fisabilillah\n(those who strive in the path of Allah), and ibnu sabil (a\ntraveler).<\/p>\n
\u2018The asnaf exist. It appears from the eight asnaf that MBG does not\nfall into,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n
Earlier reports quoted the Minister of Religion, Nasaruddin Umar,\napologising for remarks about zakat which caused misunderstanding among\nthe public. He emphasised that zakat remains an individual obligation\n(fardhu \u2019ain) and a pillar of Islam that does not change in status.<\/p>\n
\u2018I apologise for my statements that caused misunderstanding. I need\nto emphasise that zakat is a fardhu \u2018ain and a pillar of Islam that we\nmust fulfil,\u2019 Nasaruddin said in Jakarta on Saturday, 28 February 2026,\nas reported.<\/p>\n
The Minister explained that his remarks during the Sarasehan 99\nIslamic Economists Forum were intended as a call to reorient the\nmanagement of the umat\u2019s funds. He urged that strengthening the Islamic\neconomy should not stop at zakat alone, but also optimise other Islamic\nphilanthropy instruments such as wakaf, infak, and sedekah.<\/p>\n
According to Nasaruddin, several countries have shown progress\nthrough professional and integrated wakaf management, such as in Qatar,\nKuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. Wakaf management in those\ncountries has even become a motor for driving social and economic\ndevelopment of the Muslim community.<\/p>\n
The minister hopes the clarification will correct circulating\ninformation and strengthen public understanding of the importance of\noptimising all instruments of religious social funds. He also urged the\npublic to continue paying zakat while supporting the development of\nwakaf and Islamic philanthropy more productively and sustainably.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/uii-rector-zakat-is-very-important-and-must-remain-popular-in-indonesia-1772784233", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }