Muslims can pay their zakat this year by donating meals or food parcels to help those in need.
In-kind contributions will help people who have lost their jobs, are on unpaid leave or have had salary cuts due to the Covid-19 outbreak, said Dubai’s Grand Mufti.
Zakat is a sustained payment calculated based on the payer’s annual income using a percentage.
It is not just a fundamental pillar of Islam but also a potential way of easing the suffering of millions of people through a sustained charitable effort.
And, this year, food donations are being encouraged to help those who cannot afford to buy essentials.
"Zakat can be paid to those affected by the current conditions in the form of food or meals as it fulfils one of the Sharia principles to help the needy,” said Dr Ahmed Al Haddad, Grand Mufti of Dubai and director of the fatwa department at the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities.
"Vulnerable communities are in critical need for food as [they] stay home during this unprecedented crisis.”
Muslims in the country have also been urged to pay their zakat earlier this year.
"This is an exceptional situation. People have suffered financial losses as businesses have been put on hold while they stay at home," Dr Al Haddad told The National.
"They are the ones who need food and essential commodities."
This week, the UAE Fatwa Council had also asked Muslims to pay their zakat “as quickly as possible” to help those suffering during the ongoing pandemic.
The fatwa to pay zakat early during a crisis is common and has been recognised by Muslim scholars throughout history, said Dr Al Haddad.
He cited an example of when Prophet Mohammed allowed his uncle Al Abbas to pay his zakat earlier to people in need during that time.
The Grand Mufti urged contributors to support the 10 million meals campaign that was launched on Sunday by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
“As a part of this campaign, meals will reach those in dire need,” he said.
The 10 million meals campaign, the country’s biggest community campaign, was launched to ensure nobody sleeps hungry in the UAE.
Dr Al Haddad suggests people should assess the needs of the less fortunate and then help them.
“Is he in need of cooked meals? Or is he in need for Mir Ramadan – a basket containing home [food] essentials? If you are not sure, then give him cash,” he said.
The Grand Mufti also reminded Muslims that providing food to those fasting during Ramadan is rewarding.
Muslims believe that providing an iftar meal to a fasting person is rewarded with the same deeds as the one who is fasting.
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Children assist in the installation of Ramadan ornaments in the streets of Giza, Egypt. EPA -
Ramadan date sales at the Abu Dhabi Dates Market at, Mina Zayed. Victor Besa / The National -
A Ramadan date shopper at the Abu Dhabi Dates Market at Mina Zayed. Victor Besa / The National -
Ramadan decoration and offers at the Lulu Hypermarket in Al Barsha in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Ramadan decoration at the Spinneys in Al Barsha in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
The Carpet Souk at the Zayed Port area. Lalujan, a carpet salesman is looking forward to Ramadan carpet sales. Victor Besa / The National -
The Carpet Souk at the Zayed Port area. An upholsterer cuts fabric for a Ramadan sofa. Victor Besa / The National -
A man hangs decorations ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on a mosque during a countrywide lockdown over the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Beirut, Lebanon. Reuters -
A Palestinian girl leans out from the window of a vehicle to see the decorative lights in Gaza City as the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic lingers ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. AFP -
A Palestinian packs boxes with food that will be distributed to poor Palestinian families ahead oof the hoy month of Ramadan, in Nablus, West Bank. AP Photo -
Daily-wage workers wait in line to receive free wheat donated by Afghan businessmen ahead of the upcoming holy fasting month of Ramadan in Kabul, Afghanistan. AP Photo -
The newly installed Ramadan lights on the Abu Dhabi Corniche during the rain. Victor Besa / The National -
The newly installed Ramadan lights on the Corniche during the rain. Victor Besa / The National -
The newly installed Ramadan lights on the Corniche during the rain. Victor Besa / The National -
The newly installed Ramadan lights on the Corniche during the rain. Victor Besa / The National -
A Palestinian vendor displays traditional lanterns known in Arabic as "Fanous" outside his shop in Gaza City, ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. From cancelled iftar feasts to suspended mosque prayers, Muslims across the Middle East are bracing for a bleak month of Ramadan fasting as the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic lingers. Ramadan is a period for both self reflection and socialising. Believers fast from dawn to dusk and then gather around a family or community meal each evening of Islam's holiest month, which begins later this week and ends with Eid al-Fitr festivities. AFP -
An Egyptian vendor sells traditional lanterns known in Arabic as "Fanous" ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in the capital Cairo. AFP -
A Yemeni vendor waits for costumers in the old city market of the capital Sanaa ahead of the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. AFP -
Livestock being carted from the Abu Dhabi Livestock Market to the Public Slaughter House which is directly across the street. Victor Besa / The National -
Egyptian youths prepare decorations for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, also known to Egyptians as "Zeinat Ramadan" on a street in front of their homes during the night-time curfew to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Cairo, Egypt,. REUTERS -
An Egyptian seller cleans a traditional Ramadan lantern called "fanous" at his shop ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, amid concerns over the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Cairo, Egypt. REUTERS -
Palestinians shop in the market before the holy month of Ramadan in Gaza City. EPA -
A vendor waits for customers to buy traditional food ahead of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, at the main market in Gaza City. AP Photo -
An Iraqi man wearing a mask is reflected on a traditional lantern known in Arabic as "Fanous" at the Shorja market in central Baghdad as Iraq prepares to welcome the holy fasting month of Ramadan which begins later this week. AFP -
A vendor wearing face mask sells sweets at al-Midan neighborhood ahead of the month of Ramadan in Damascus, Syria. EPA -
People shop for Ramadan lanterns ahead of the holy month, in the Sayeda Zeinab neighborhood of Cairo, Egypt. AP Photo -
A vendor wearing a protective face mask serves customers inside his shop, ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, amid concerns over the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Algiers, Algeria. REUTERS -
A general view shows an outdoor market set up by the Algerian government to prevent crowding inside supermarkets, ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, amid concerns over the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Algiers, Algeria. REUTERS -
Early Ramadan shoppers at Carrefour Yas Mall. A lady checks out a Ramadan promotional stand. Victor Besa / The National
"Providing meals this year fulfils the zakat. Feed those who are fasting and help the needy,” he said
“I call all to pray to God to get us out of crisis. The prayer of a fasting person is likely to be answered. We need God’s mercy."
