The wisdom of Allah Almighty ordained differentiation among His servants in terms of provisions. There are the wealthy whose wealth exceeds their needs, and there are the poor who struggle to meet their daily needs. Islam came to eliminate this disparity among people through certain commands that preserve society from the conflicts between the poor and the rich people, protecting them from animosity and hatred, as instructed by Allah .
Zakat is a mandatory act in islam of purification and growth. Scholars define it as a predetermined share that Allah has obligated the wealthy people to spend on specific Zakat channels outlined by Islamic law. The significance of Zakat lies in its role as one of the essential pillars that maintain the balance of society, contribute to its stability, promote the principles of partnership and social solidarity, and strengthen love and affection among different segments of society. Ignoring the payment of Zakat goes beyond a religious error or sin but it extends to harming the entire community.
The importance of the role of Zakat committees in the governorates lies in educating people about the role and impact of Zakat.
Abdullah al Amri, a member of the Zakat Committee in the Wilayat of Seeb, emphasizes "paying Zakat is an act of obedience to Allah, where the person with wealth fulfills the obligation imposed on them by spending a small part of their wealth, intending self-purification and mercy towards the poor and needy".
Zakat is obligatory on those whom Allah mentioned in the Quran: "The alms are only for the poor and the needy, and those employed to administer it, and those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and to free the captives and the debtors, and for the cause of Allah, and for the wayfarer; a duty imposed by Allah, and Allah is Knowing, Wise." (Quran, At-Tawbah: 60).
Nasser al Hinaai, another member of the Zakat Committee in the Wilayat of Seeb, highlights "the conditions of Zakat payment, emphasizing that it should be given willingly to those in need. The payer must have reached the age of maturity and possess mental competence. Zakat is obligatory on all Muslims who meet the specified threshold for one lunar year that has passed since acquiring the wealth. It applies to gold, silver, livestock, crops, trade goods, and the stock market".
The consequence for neglecting Zakat is severe, as stated in the Quran: "And those who hoard up gold and silver and do not spend them in the way of Allah, announce to them a painful chastisement." (Quran, At-Tawbah: 34).
Al Amri points out "the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs has facilitated Zakat calculation through websites and mobile applications to determine whether payment is obligatory, making the process efficient and safeguarding the rights of the poor".
Al Hinaai proudly mentions "the Zakat Committee in the Wilayat of Seeb has enlisted a network of volunteers, around 90 persons of both genders male and female , distributed across the regions and villages of the Wilayat. They work to identify eligible families after studying their cases and verifying the information through official documents. The data is then submitted to the committee for approval and storage in a dedicated program, along with the electronic platform for Zakat services.
He further explains "the committee responds promptly to any communication about families facing difficulties in a particular area within the Wilayat. The administration contacts the volunteers in that area, urging them to visit the family and verify their situation to fulfill the entrusted duty."
Al Hinaai said, "The number of cases benefiting from the program reached 1,600 Omani families and a small number of families of eligible residents in the Wilayat of Seeb."
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