Islamic Minister Dr. Ahmed Ziyad has stated that issuing fatwas based only on internet resources with no personal knowledge was an issue.
Speaking in a press conference on Wednesday, Dr. Ziyad stated that this was especially evident in the many confusions people had over the principles of zakath and added that this was a danger.
He added that there were strict principles on when zakath has to be paid, which is from the start of Ramadan to before the start of eid prayers. It is mandatory that zakath has to be paid before the eid prayers. Dr. Ziyad stated that this was the principle observed by muslims across the globe and in muslim nations, as well as in the past.
Dr. Ziyad added that in all of the muslim nations the acceptable mode of payment was cash and this was the common practice in nations such as Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Pakistan.
He said that there were some cases where some insist that payment must be made in rice. He added that this was concerning. Dr. Ziyad also said that in the time of the Prophet the most common food items were wheat and dried grapes and dates. Therefore, Dr. Ziyad stated that it was no justification that many demand that rice was the only form of payment for Zakat.
He appealed all to reflect on the meaning of the Prophet’s words when issuing fatwas.
Issuing fatwas based on internet resources is an issue: Dr. Ziyad
