As explained in the hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the month of Ramadan is a time when rewards for acts of worship are multiplied, including the practice of zakat, infaq, and sadaqah, which serve as key sources of life’s blessings.
Ramadan is an extraordinary gift granted by Allah SWT to His servants. It comes as a month full of forgiveness, blessings, and mercy. Every moment we experience in this holy month is a golden opportunity to draw closer to Him, purify our hearts, and improve our deeds. As the gates of heaven are opened and sins are forgiven, it is only fitting that we compete in doing good and strive to become better individuals.
Ramadan is not merely about abstaining from food and drink, but also about cultivating patience, sincerity, and compassion for others. It teaches us the true meaning of generosity, allowing us to empathize with those less fortunate and reminding us that the wealth we possess is merely a trust from Allah. With hearts full of faith, Ramadan becomes the best moment to increase righteous deeds, including practicing zakat, infaq, and sadaqah as essential keys to attaining blessings in life.
Indeed, in this noble month, Allah promises multiplied rewards for those who extend their hands to help others. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself was the best example of generosity, especially during Ramadan. If he, despite living a simple life, continued to give generously, then we as his followers should be even more motivated to follow his example. Let us make this Ramadan our best time to share, increase our worship, and draw closer to Allah with sincere devotion.
To further elaborate on this topic, the Chairman of MUI for Sharia Economics and Halal Affairs, K.H. Sholahudin Al Aiyub, emphasized the importance of utilizing this holy month to increase piety, improve acts of worship, and enhance the practice of sadaqah, infaq, and zakat.
As mentioned in the hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him), Ramadan is a time when rewards are multiplied. Therefore, practicing zakat, infaq, and sadaqah during this month brings even greater blessings. The Prophet was known as the most generous person, especially in Ramadan. Hadith literature states that charity given in Ramadan holds exceptional virtue, even greater than in other months.
In the Qur’an, Allah says: “Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over?” (QS. Al-Baqarah: 245)
Charity is not limited to wealth; it encompasses all forms of goodness, such as providing iftar meals, helping those in need, and sharing happiness with others.
The Potential of Zakat in Indonesia
In reality, Indonesia has enormous zakat potential, yet the actual collection remains far below its capacity. According to research by Baznas in 2019, the potential for zakat in Indonesia reaches approximately IDR 130–150 trillion per year, but only a small portion has been successfully collected.
This gap is caused by several factors, including individuals paying zakat directly to beneficiaries (mustahik) without going through official zakat institutions—resulting in unrecorded data—and a general lack of awareness regarding the obligation of zakat. The most significant factor, however, is the absence of a structured system to regulate zakat payments in a manner similar to taxation.
During the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him), zakat officers were appointed to collect and record zakat from Muslims. After the Prophet’s passing, when some groups refused to pay zakat, Sayyidina Abu Bakr (ra) took firm action by deploying forces to enforce compliance. This highlights the critical role of zakat in ensuring the welfare of the Muslim community.
Types of Zakat and Their Provisions
Regarding the types of zakat, Kiai Aiyub explained two main categories: zakat fitrah and zakat mal. Zakat fitrah must be paid at the end of Ramadan before the Eid al-Fitr prayer as a completion of fasting. Meanwhile, zakat mal (wealth zakat) includes zakat on trade, agriculture, livestock, gold and silver, as well as professional income.
“For professional income zakat, although not explicitly mentioned in the Qur’an and hadith, scholars have exercised ijtihad to conclude that income from professions is also subject to zakat, referring to the zakat on gold and silver, which is 2.5% of income after reaching the nisab over one year,” explained Kiai Aiyub.
One frequently asked question is whether zakat should be calculated based on gross income (bruto) or net income after deducting basic needs and debt installments (netto). There are two opinions on this matter. The first states that zakat should be calculated from gross income to ensure the wealth is purified from obligations.
The second allows deductions for debts and basic needs before calculating zakat, based on the principle that human obligations should be prioritized before divine obligations. Both views have strong foundations, allowing individuals to choose according to their beliefs and financial conditions.
Zakat is not merely an individual obligation but also a solution for alleviating poverty and improving social welfare. Therefore, it is important to distribute zakat through official institutions to ensure it is well-organized and properly targeted. According to MUI fatwas, zakat can also be distributed in the form of productive assets, scholarships, and public facilities that benefit the wider Muslim community. This aligns with the principle of maslahah (public benefit) in Islam, where zakat is utilized for the greater good.
May this blessed month of Ramadan bring acceptance to all our acts of worship and make us among the righteous. Aamiin.Adapted from a religious lecture at DKM Halalal Thayyiban organized by LPPOM
Source: Jurnal Halal 172 https://halalmui.org/jurnal-halal/172/
