| Hakim Hayat |
THE holy month of Ramadhan is not only a month for Muslims to abstain from food and drinks during daylight and increase their devotion but is also a month to remember those less fortunate in the society.
Muslims are already seen flocking mosques across the nation to fulfil their duties of the Zakat or payment of the tithe, which is the third pillar of Islam, a requirement for all Muslims, whether male or female, minor or adult, as long they have the means to fulfil the duty.
Performed annually before the end of Ramadhan, the head of the household may pay the required amount for the other members.
The current rate of Zakat Fitrah in Brunei Darussalam is $2.84 for every individual who consumes the ‘Beras Wangi’ (Thai Hom Mali Rice) and $1.93 for those who consume the ‘Beras Siam’ (Thai White Rice).
For those who prefer to pay the Zakat in terms of staple food, they have to offer 2.268kg of ‘Beras Wangi’ or ‘Beras Siam’.
File photos show two men paying Zakat at a mosque – photos: Azrol Azmi
A man pays Zakat “Tithe” during the Ramadhan month at Jame Asr’ Hassanil Bolkiah mosque. Paying Zakat is payment made under Islamic observance and is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
The Zakat is an act of charity to provide the less privileged and Muslim converts with a means to celebrate the Hari Raya Aidilfitri along with the rest of other Muslims.
The significance of the Zakat comes when those who have wealth are obliged to come in direct contact with the poor, and the poor are put in contact with the extremely poor.
This contact between the various levels of society helps to build real bonds of brotherhood and love within the Islamic community and trains those who have to be generous to those who do not have.
This year, a total of 309 Amils have been appointed to 140 areas around the nation. The Zakat collection areas are designated at mosques, suraus, prayer halls, homes of Amil representatives (Penghulus and village heads), Zakat Collection and Distribution Office and its branches at all districts.
Since the implementation of the Zakat and Fitrah Regulations 1969, Amils come from different backgrounds in the community including mosque officers, Imams, Bilals, Penghulus, village heads, religious teachers, uniformed personnel from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF), Fire and Rescue Department and other government agencies.
The financial institutions of Islam appointed as Amil representatives for Zakat Harta are Tabung Amanah Islam Brunei (TAIB) and Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD).
Figures last year indicated a 0.47 per cent increase in the amount of Zakat collected nationwide compared to the previous year with $931,638.97 collected from 330,976 individuals.
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