Tabung Haji depositors need not worry about past zakat payments, as the payments were valid and complied with Shariah requirements, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
KUALA LUMPUR: Tabung Haji depositors need not worry about zakat payments made on their behalf in previous years, as the payments were valid and carried out in accordance with Islamic law, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan said Tabung Haji’s Syariah Advisory Committee had affirmed the validity of the institution’s zakat payments for depositors before the introduction of the wakalah concept in 2019.
He said the committee, at its meeting on Sept 2, 2020, found that zakat payments made on behalf of depositors in previous years were valid and complied with Shariah requirements.
“I want to clarify the confusion among the public, especially our valued Tabung Haji depositors, regarding the payment of zakat from their funds for previous years.
“The status of the zakat payments made on behalf of depositors is valid and was properly carried out,” he said when explaining the findings of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into Tabung Haji.
Zulkifli said the National Fatwa Committee for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia had also previously determined that Tabung Haji itself was not subject to zakat, but was required to pay zakat on behalf of its depositors.
He said Tabung Haji had consistently fulfilled the obligation on behalf of depositors in accordance with the ruling.
He added that zakat paid during the 2016 and 2017 financial years under the Wadiah Yad Dhamanah contract was business zakat paid collectively on behalf of depositors on funds that were invested.
The RCI had recommended that Tabung Haji’s zakat practices be referred to the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia’s Muzakarah Committee for consideration.
Zulkifli said the matter had since been presented to and endorsed by the committee in June 2024, with its view subsequently conveyed to the Conference of Rulers at its 267th meeting in October 2024.
He therefore assured depositors that their zakat obligations had been handled properly and in accordance with Shariah principles.
He said Tabung Haji’s zakat operations and governance were guided by approved zakat guidelines and monitored by its Shariah Advisory Committee, comprising experts in Shariah and Islamic finance.
Meanwhile, Zulkifli said Tabung Haji had also taken note of the RCI’s recommendations on changes to Haj management policies, particularly regarding eligibility and waiting periods for prospective pilgrims.
He said Tabung Haji was in the final stages of refining improvements to its Haj management policy, which would be announced soon.
