King Mohammed VI takes note of Supreme Council of Ulema’s Fatwa on Zakat, approves its public dissemination

The Supreme Council of Ulema affirmed that King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, has taken note of the Council’s Fatwa on Zakat and granted approval for its public dissemination, the Council said in a statement on Wednesday.

The Fatwa will be available online on the Supreme Council of Ulema’s website on Friday, October 24, and on the portal of the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, the statement said.

Last September, the Supreme Council of Ulemas has been entrusted, at the directive of King Mohammed VI, with the task of issuing a comprehensive fatwa to elucidate the Sharia rules concerning Zakat.

This initiative was meant to address the numerous inquiries from citizens regarding the application of this fundamental pillar of Islam, especially in the context of modern economic developments. The Council had then indicated that the fatwa will address issues related to Zakat on income from work, services, investments, and financial transactions. It will also specify the provisions regarding the minimum threshold, amounts due, and payment deadlines.

Zakat, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, is an obligatory form of Islamic charity, or almsgiving, where Muslims give a fixed percentage (usually 2.5%) of their wealth to the poor and needy. Zakat purifies the giver’s wealth, reduces societal inequality by redistributing wealth, and fosters community by instilling compassion and empathy. It is mandatory for those who possess a minimum threshold of wealth (nisab) for a full lunar year.