As far as zakat management is concerned, the collection task is one of the most important duties because disbursement depends on what is collected. During the early days of Islam, the Prophet (pbuh) ordered his companions to collect zakat from the rich and distribute it among the needy and destitute. Zakat collection and fair distribution among its beneficiaries were the concerns of the Prophet (pbuh) during his lifetime.
Although the zakat institution is considered a religious body, naturally it has an economic and a communal aspect to it, since its collection is the responsibility of the state or government because the Prophet (pbuh) himself used to appoint zakat collectors and sometimes involved himself (pbuh) directly in distributing it to the poor.
Although the zakat institution is considered a religious body, naturally it has an economic and a communal aspect to it, since its collection is the responsibility of the state or government because the Prophet (pbuh) himself used to appoint zakat collectors and sometimes involved himself (pbuh) directly in distributing it to the poor.
Charities and non-governmental organisations are not a substitute for the state legally or ethically. Even in the UK, for example, one of the most affluent countries in the world that has a welfare system to meet the health and well-being needs of its citizens, there are multiple charities collecting funds to help the poor and the needy in the UK. Therefore, and particularly to the UK context, there is a need for zakat collectors to help the thousands who fall through the safety net of the welfare system and are in dire need of financial assistance. As stated above, zakat, if administered properly, has the potential to help the needy out of poverty and increase the number of zakat payers, thus empowering individuals and enriching societies.
