JAKARTA — On the night before Eid al-Fitr 1445 AH, accompanied by Madaya Coffee—a product of Dompet Dhuafa’s economic empowerment—Firhan was calculating and summarizing the results of zakat collection throughout the month of Ramadan 1445 AH.
It is the duty of Dompet Dhuafa’s staff as zakat collectors to remain on standby, serving both the beneficiaries and donors until the Eid al-Fitr prayer. Dozens of Dompet Dhuafa staff were still working diligently at the Philanthropy Building in South Jakarta until the early hours of Eid al-Fitr, Wednesday (April 10, 2024), to ensure the entrusted Ziswaf funds were managed properly.
One of the Dompet Dhuafa staff members working until the closure of zakat payments and the distribution of zakat fitrah was Firhan Hazmi, a man from Karawang, West Java.
He admitted that he has been participating in Ramadan activities with Dompet Dhuafa since 2021 as part of the Fundraiser Team. For two Ramadans, he served as a Retail Fundraiser at outlets located in major shopping centers in the Greater Jakarta area. In 2023 and 2024, he changed roles, remaining a Fundraiser but transitioning to collecting zakat directly from donors’ homes.
In Firhan’s previous role, donors would come to him. Now, in his new role, he has to visit the donors to collect zakat. According to him, donors often request home visits for zakat collection because they have difficulty coming to the office or the outlets, or perhaps because one of their family members is elderly, making it more meaningful for zakat to be paid at home with all family members present. He has had many enjoyable experiences throughout the entire month of Ramadan 1445 H.
Out of the 29 days of Ramadan 1445 H, the last 10 days were the busiest for Firhan in terms of zakat collection. He reported being on standby at the office from 8:00 AM and returning home at 10:00 PM. In terms of distance, the farthest he has traveled to collect zakat by car was to Ciawi, Bogor. On a motorcycle, he has collected zakat as far as Duren Sawit and Cakung in East Jakarta.
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As Eid al-Fitr approaches, the intensity of zakat collection increases. According to Firhan, the increase starts in the last 10 days. Meanwhile, the highest record occurs in the last 3 days before Eid al-Fitr. Firhan has many interesting impressions and stories from his time collecting zakat.
“The most interesting story was on the last day. Alhamdulillah, I met donors who left a deep impression on me. Their appearances and clothing were simple, ordinary. But their zakat donations amounted to nearly half a billion rupiahs. In fact, some reached one billion,” he recounted.
Meeting donors with different characteristics has made him even more convinced that people cannot be judged solely by their outward appearances.
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About having to work until the day of Eid al-Fitr, it doesn’t bother him. On the contrary, he is proud of this duty.
“This job as a zakat collector is a responsibility I have committed to from the beginning. I will serve until the end, which means until zakat payments are closed and all zakat fitrah funds entrusted by donors have been delivered to the recipients,” he said.
At least three tasks remain for Firhan to complete on the night of Takbiran, after the zakat collection activities have concluded. First, he must recap the zakat collection activities from the beginning of Ramadan until the previous night. Second, he needs to be on standby in case there are any requests for zakat collection. Third, he must recheck and reconfirm the donor data that has already been recorded. This is done to communicate to donors and the public that the zakat fitrah paid has been received by the beneficiaries.
The clock shows 2:45 AM WIB. Dozens of amil (zakat collectors) still on duty at the office begin to gradually leave to visit their families. Firhan is among them. He rides his motorcycle to his residence in South Tangerang to pack his belongings before heading to his hometown in Karawang, West Java. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and Photos: Riza Muthohar
Editors: Dhika Prabowo, Ronna