Ghaus Siwani, New Delhi

Religious scholars and Muftis have appealed to Muslims to spend their mandatory donations - Zakat  and Fitra – commonly given during the ongoing Holy month of Ramazan to help the poor and needy patients suffering from Covid-19 infection.

Zakat, an obligation for Muslims, envisages a donation of 2.5% of one’s savings and wealth to the poor and needy annually and Fitra is the amount equivalent to the price of 2.45 kg wheat to be donated to the poor before the month of Ramazan.

This time, in view of the Covid Pandemic, religious heads and scholars have asked the Muslims to spend the money towards helping those who are impoverished and have lost jobs due to disease and the frequent lockdowns to prevent the spread of the virus.

The Mufti of Kanpur City Mufti Saqib Adib Misbahi has appealed to Muslims to spend Zakat money on the treatment of Corona patients this year. "The Corona epidemic is killing people everywhere," he said. “It’s difficult for many to buy medicine or oxygen. Many patients are running from pillar to post for admission in hospitals. Also, there are many poor people who cannot afford treatment.” 

He says the Zakat must be spent on such people. “Help such persons with money or get them treated,” he said.

At the meeting of Kanpur city ‘muftis’ and Islamic scholars, speakers expressed their concern over the rising number of COVID-19 infections. Mufti Saqib Adib said that Muslims should spend a portion of Zakat money on those who are suffering from the Covid.

“In hospitals, give this money to the poor for oxygen, medicine, etc.” He stated the command of the Qur'an that the one who saves the life of a human being saves the humanity. Therefore, people must help people as much as possible in the month of Ramazan.

Meerut city Mufti Maulana Professor Zainul Sajidin Siddiqui said that only the poor should be helped with the Zakat money, given the situation it is more important to save the lives of the Covid patients. Patients can be helped by buying oxygen cylinders, injections and medicines with the zakat money.

He said Zakat-donors can help the low-income poor and the needy by arranging oxygen cylinders, injections and necessary medicines.

Mufti of Jamia Masjid of Atrola (UP) Mufti Muhammad Jameel Ahmad Khan appealed to the people to use money of Zakat for those fighting the disease; who can’t afford medicines and treatment and persons who have lost jobs and incomes due to corona curfew.

While making an appeal to the Muslims on the same lines, Qazi Mufti Abdul Aziz Qadri of Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh) said the Zakat money must be used for fighting the Covid disease. He said that Islam not only teaches fasting and prayers but also commands fulfilment of social responsibilities and human duties.

He said that many people are facing starvation due to the Corona Curfew.

Danish Siddiqui, General Secretary, All India Urdu Board of Education, Saharanpur Branch, has appealed to Muslims to spend money on the treatment of Corona patients this year. Siddiqui said that the corona epidemic is killing people everywhere. If no one can buy medicine, no one is getting oxygen. Many patients are wandering to be admitted to hospitals. Help such people with Zakat, get them treated. Help people as much as possible during the month of Ramadan.

Maulana Abul Kalam Khan Rizvi, Imam of Loyabad, Dhanbad, said that as the corona epidemic has spread in the country patients from poor families are unable to get treatment. People must help such people with zakat, money.

Meanwhile, Mansoor Badar, a councillor from Meerut, has set up a Carona Fund and asked people to donate from their funds of Zakat and Fitra. He plans to use the money towards helping people who have lost livelihoods and are faced with economic difficulties because of Covid pandemic.