The Zakat House of the Maldives has released a comprehensive document outlining the Sharia principles and standards for Zakat issuance and distribution.

The announcement was made during a ceremony at the Islamic Centre’s Meeting Hall on December 23, by the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed.

The principles and standards, developed by the Zakat Shariah Advisory Committee, serve to define the nature of properties eligible for Zakat issuance and their judicial basis. These guidelines establish a structured approach to ensure compliance with Islamic teachings and modern financial practices.

Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, Minister of Islamic Affairs and Chairman of the Zakat House, emphasised the importance of these standards in achieving the objectives set out by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. Speaking at the event, Dr Shaheem described the roadmap for the Zakat House, released, as its most critical document to date.

Dr Shaheem explained that the values and standards have been developed based on the guidance of the Holy Qur'an, the teachings of the Prophet's Sunnah, Qiyas, Ijma, Islamic Fiqh and Sharia. He noted that they also draw upon resolutions from Islamic conferences and the practices followed by similar agencies in other Muslim countries.

The document highlights several objectives, including clarifying the nature of property on which Zakat is obligatory as per the Qur'an and Sunnah, and outlining judicial standards for modern financial properties subject to Zakat. Additionally, it provides general rules for Zakat payment and principles guiding its distribution among beneficiaries.

Objectives include:

Certificates of Recognition were presented to individuals in appreciation of their contributions to the initiative.