Zakat is an essential obligation and a monetary worship that is due on all types of good-begotten gains and all monetary assets like paper currencies, gold and silver, stocks and shares, trading, industrial, and agricultural riches, and livestock; each according to pre-established conditions and proportions.
In order to meet the objectives of Zakat within its essence and principles, a specialized Zakat establishment is essential. Therefore, the Zakat fund was established in Lebanon in the year 1404 H., 1984 A.D. and is one of the very active institutions of Dar Al-Fatwa with regards to charitable social, developmental, and service activities, aiming at collecting Zakat from Moslems and distributing it to those who are in need, as assigned in the Holy Qura’n: " As-Sadaqât are only for the Fuqarâ’ (poor), and Al-Masâkin (the poor) and those employed to collect (the funds), and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islâm), and to free the captives, and for those in debt, and for Allâh’s Cause (i.e. for Mujahidûn - those fighting in a holy battle), and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allâh. And Allâh is All-Knower, All-Wise.")Al-Tawba, 60)
The Zakat fund focuses on reviving this divine obligation, and reducing the sufferings of the needy and poor, and actualizing social solidarity, encouraging a productive community; and developing rural communities; with special care of orphans living with their own families.
The Zakat fund maintains many vital programs including: continuous monetary aid to the disabled, widows, the sick, emergency and hospitalization aid, in addition to financial aid, The Zakat fund distributes food rations, Al-Adha meat and meals during Ramadan, Eid clothes, dairy cow, interest-free production loans, production donations, support for school books and students’ bags; summer sessions for the teaching of Qur'an, support for the students of Sharia’a education; providing aid to prisoners, and guarantors of orphans. The fund also provides medical services to the beneficiaries and the needy families through its medical center in Beirut.
The Zakat fund is managed and supervised by a committee comprised of an elite group of society members including Islamic scholars, businessmen, doctors, engineers, and accountants. The committee is headed by a general manager, supported by a consultant committee and formed of the previously mentioned members. The women’s committee is formed of a selected group of ladies.
The Zakat fund organized and participated in many conferences, seminars, and workshops that are concerned in Zakat, and its recently raised issues and contemporary applications. The fund also signed a protocol with the Islamic Institute for Research and Training, of the Islamic Development Bank in Jeddah, for mutual cooperation in organizing seminars, and specialized scientific conferences.
The Zakat fund was established to meet various objectives and goals that promote the journey towards good deeds in Lebanon, as well as strengthen the role of the Moslems in it. These objectives are as follows:
