The Zakat Committee of Salafi Jum’ah Masjid has been functioning for the past several years with the objective of implementing the system of Zakat as envisaged by Islam. It has been widely acknowledged that our efforts have been beneficial to several individuals. Numerous are the achievements that the Zakat Committee has been able to make so far. The Committee has always maintained that Zakat should not only be distributed for immediate relief to the poor, and that It should also be given in the form assisting of small entrepreneurship. As a result of such an approach, as many as 15 individuals who had received Zakat have been able to eliminate their poverty and attain enough prosperity to be able to give Zakat on their own. This most gratifying instance is enough to substantiate the fact the Zakat Committee of Salafi Jum’ah Masjid plays a very significant role in influencing the implementation of a noble system capable of eliminating poverty in accordance with the principles of Islam.
Alhamdulillah, with the blessings of Almighty Allâh, the Committee has been able to expand its activities and execute many schemes that are beneficial to the society. It has to be mentioned here that though the number of aspirants for getting Zakat is on the rise, many of those who have been given Zakat earlier do no return the next year just because they have been able to attain self-sufficiency. This has been mainly due to the utmost priority given by the Committee in providing means of self-employment and there by, accelerating the process of poverty eradication. Providing assistance to the most deserving applicants for buying autorikshaws, welding sets, sewing machines, and helping to set up or expand provision stores and such small businesses have been some of the measures employed by the Committee to achieve this objective. Last year, 30 such very deserving cases were taken up. While distributing Zakat to each of them, the emphasis was on trying to make sure that it provided a permanent solution to the individual’s financial problem. Insha Allâh, the Committee wishes to proceed in the same direction in future also. But, the ever increasing number of applicants is an obstacle in the path of complete realization of our vision.
The Committee has also tried to give due consideration to people who do not own a roof to sleep under. Last year, ninety families received assistance to construct their own homes or to repair the damages of their existing homes. As a new initiative of the Committee, at Kottappady, work is in progress for the construction 45 villas in 1 acre 53 cents of land that has been newly acquired. The construction of ten of them is already complete and, Insha Allâh, the remaining villas will be ready within a few months. They will be handed over to the most deserving people who have not so far been fortunate enough to have a shelter of their own. Since the completion of this project is the most important agenda before the Committee this year, utmost cooperation from everyone is requested.
The Committee gives due consideration to give pension, ration, food, and medicines to impoverished Muslims who are handicapped, terminally ill, or suffering from serious ailments. Due diligence is always exercised in such cases to ensure that Zakat paid to them serves the purpose for which it is given. The Committee coordinates these matters directly with civil supplies outlets like Mavely Stores, ration dealers, and pharmacies. Financial assistance has also been provided to patients who have had to undergo expensive surgeries for heart and kidney problems. Last year, the Committee approved and disbursed pension to about 200 destitute Muslim families and about twenty poor Muslim students were given financial aid to enable them to go for higher studies. The sincere efforts of the Ameels or officers employed by the Committee have been very helpful in carrying out these activities in an organized manner. (A detailed statement of Zakat collected and distributed during the last two years is given below.)
The total amount of Zakat collected is very less considering the fact that it is from Muslims residing in the heart of a city like Cochin. But, by the grace of Almighty Allâh, the amount collected this year is much more in comparison to what it used to be in the previous years, We are extremely gratified and enthused by the trust that the donors have expressed in the transparent and accountable manner in which the Committee functions. Insha Allâh, the Committee would continue to function in this manner to justify the trust that you have reposed on us. In future also, the Committee will endeavor to see that the Zakat that you give reaches the most deserving people as ordained by Almighty Allâh. A collective movement is needed at least from the faithful to see that sincere efforts are made to eradicate begging which Islam has discouraged in very stringent terms. Your active cooperation with the Zakat Committee is definitely the first step in this direction. Even as the activities of the past years give us a lot of satisfaction and enthusiasm, we pray to Almighty Allâh to give us the strength and blessings to continue with this noble mission with more vigor and vibrancy. We also seek His forgiveness if we have unintentionally erred in any aspect.
We express our sincere gratitude to all those who have cooperated with the Committee and pray to Almighty Allâh to reward them accordingly in this world and the hereafter. We also request you to pass on this message to others so as to get them also involved in this very important form of worship. It would be always be worthwhile to keep in mind the promise of the Apostle of Allâh, Mohammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him) that due recompense await those who lead others to the path of virtue.
Oh Allâh! We ask You to give us the correct understanding of Your Religion of Islam and make all our worships sincerely for Your sake and pleasure!
Our Lord! Do not impose blame upon us if we have forgotten or erred. Our Lord, lay not upon us a burden like that which you laid upon those before us. Our Lord, burden us not with that which we have no ability to bear. And pardon us; and forgive us; and have mercy upon us. You are our Protector, so give us victory over the disbelieving people.
We ask Allâh the Most High, the All-Powerful, to teach us that which will benefit us, and to benefit us by that which we learn. May Allâh grant blessings and peace to our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions!
All praise and thanks are due unto Allâh, and He is the only Giver of all success and the Protector from all errors and from Him proceeds all Grace and Mercy.
Ameen!
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