The Covid-19 pandemic has brought big changes to us as humans. Starting from changes in the way we interact to the way we transact. The outbreak that requires us not to interact directly between people has encouraged the development of technology that is faster than we ever imagined. Nowadays, almost everyone does their financial transactions online, including paying zakat online. In fact, street food outlets on the side of the road are already using payment facilities via Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard or QRIS.
However, for people who have been accustomed to using traditional methods for decades, this change is certainly not easy. They also have many questions in their heads. Is it true that zakat can be paid online? So, what about the contract, does it fulfill the requirements?
Zakat Online
In 2020, the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs issued Circular No. 6 of 2020 regarding online zakat collection. So, what is the law of online zakat? And what is the way to implement online zakat in accordance with Islamic law?
The Law of Online Zakat
People who are used to paying zakat in person may be skeptical about the practice of online zakat. This is because every time they pay zakat in person, they shake hands with the amil or the beneficiaries (mustahik) as a contract.
But actually, the main requirement for the payment of zakat is the intention. Even if the intention is only said in your heart, your zakat is already valid. The contract is not a valid condition for paying zakat. The contract can be done not only by shaking hands. Confirming that you have transferred the zakat funds to the Amil Zakat Institution (LAZ) is also a contract.
Read also: Easy Way to Pay Income Zakat, Your Zakat Can Be Picked Up!
In the book Fiqh Az-Zakat, Shaykh Yusuf Al-Qardhawi explains that a zakat giver (muzaki) does not have to state directly to the mustahik that the funds he gives are his zakat. Thus, if a person pays zakat without stating that the money he gives to the beneficiary is zakat, then his zakat is still valid. In other words, a Muslim may submit his/her zakat online to LAZ.
Ideally, someone who distributes his/her zakat online to LAZ should also confirm the zakat in writing. The written confirmation becomes a form of zakat declaration. Confirmation of online zakat payment sent to a special zakat account will facilitate LAZ in distributing the collected zakat assets, so that it reaches the rightful people.
Paying zakat online can make it easier for Muslims, so they can pay zakat on time and no longer procrastinate. This is in accordance with the words of Allah Swt:
“Allah wills ease for you and does not will hardship for you.” (QS. Al-Baqarah: 185)
Oh yes … remember! Before you pay your zakat funds to LAZ, make sure that the zakat management institution you choose can be trusted to distribute zakat directly to mustahik.
Advantages of Paying Zakat Online
There are three main advantages of paying zakat online to LAZ. Among others:
- Making it easier for muzaki to pay zakat in any condition, anytime, and anywhere.
- Making it easier for amil to make zakat financial reports transparently, because there is proof of transactions from muzaki.
- Zakat management institutions can more quickly distribute zakat funds to mustahik in need.
Read also: Zakat Fitrah 2024, Calculation and Complete Guide
How to Pay Zakat Online
The following is the procedure for paying zakat online, very easy, practical, and only takes a few minutes. We can also still follow the provisions of Islam in paying zakat.
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Calculate the amount of zakat that must be paid
Count all the assets that you have. If your wealth has reached the nisab for one year, then you are obliged to pay zakat mal. If the income from the profession has also reached the nisab for one month, then it is necessary to calculate the zakat.
To avoid headaches, you can use the Zakat Calculator feature in the Dompet Dhuafa Application or on the Dompet Dhuafa website. Only by entering the amount of wealth and nisab, the amount of zakat that you must pay is calculated automatically, in accordance with the rules of Islamic fiqh.
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Recite the intention of zakat, at least in your heart
The validity of paying zakat lies in the intention. If you have difficulty reciting the intention in Arabic, you can still recite the intention in your heart using Indonesian. After paying zakat, you are also encouraged to recite the prayer for paying zakat.
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Send or transfer zakat funds
After establishing your intention, pay zakat online by transferring funds to the official account of the zakat management institution. At Dompet Dhuafa, apart from using bank transfers, you can also pay zakat via Virtual Account or e-wallet such as ShopeePay, GoPay, OVO, and so on.
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Zakat Confirmation
After paying zakat online, you can contact Dompet Dhuafa through Call Center 0804-100-4000 or WhatsApp at +628111544488 to confirm zakat payment. Don’t forget, also send your personal data and proof of online zakat transfer.