Zakat is a mandatory charity on the part of solvent Muslims. And it is usually paid during the holy month of Ramadan. But there is no religious binding that Zakat has to be paid only in the fasting month of Ramadan. And it is commendable to pay Zakat when it is needed. The main principle of Zakat is to collect and distribute part of the surplus resources of well-off Muslims to assist in improving the living standard of the poor and the needy members of their community within a period of time. The ultimate objective is to eliminate poverty and create an equitable society in the end. So, Zakat is not only an obligatory charity but also one of the five core pillars of Islam.
Like storms and floods, winter cold is also a natural disaster. A number of poor people across the country are now suffering untold miseries in the ongoing cold waves as they are unable to buy warm clothes. In this regard, the Zakat Board should come forward to help the floating people by donating blankets and warm clothes. Bangladesh is now in the grip of a severe cold wave. People, especially those with meagre incomes, are struggling to cope up with the shivering cold, with dense fog at night and chilly wind in daytime. Children and the elderly are suffering from cold-related diseases such as pneumonia, while biting cold has hit the livelihoods of the low-income people, especially day-labourers. In such a situation, the Zakat Board should stand by the poor with blanket, warm clothes and cash so that they can survive this disastrous weather.
Ashikujaman Syed,
Marketing Research Associate, HC Minerals,
Shijiazhuang, China,
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