Abstract
The zakat obligation mandates Muslims with surplus wealth to donate to specific beneficiaries. In Sri Lankan zakat jurisprudence, Muʾlft qulub is narrowly interpreted to include only recent converts to Islam, while Fi sabilillah is limited to warriors fighting for Islam. This interpretation follows the Shafiʿi school of thought, which advises against distributing zakat to non-Muslims or to righteous individuals broadly. This restrictive approach undermines the broader objectives of zakat, such as promoting social justice, reducing poverty, enhancing welfare, ensuring economic stability, and fostering inter- and intra-community relationships. The paper employs a qualitative content analysis methodology alongside a Muslim minority fiqh approach to connect Islamic principles with the socio-economic context of the Sri Lankan Muslim minority. It argues that the classical jurisprudential interpretation is inadequate for addressing the unique challenges of the modern Sri Lankan socio-economic environment. By applying a fiqh of the Muslim minority approach, the paper suggests a moderate expansion of the Muʾlft qulub and Fi sabilillah categories. This expansion would help achieve the broader socio-economic goals of zakat and empower the Muslim community in Sri Lanka.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: International Journal of Islamic Economics and Finance (IJIEF)
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.