A reminder: His Majesty reminded his people of the benefits of giving tithe or zakat. Picture: Helmyshah
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Monarch urges authorities to undertake intense research to find out cause of $10m fall
ARE economical factors, lack of confidence in the zakat distribution system or personal attitude contributing to the decrease of zakat collected? This is the question raised by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in this year's Hari Raya titah.
His Majesty referred to the recent statistics from relevant authorities which have shown the amount of tithe or zakat collected last year had dropped dramatically by $10 million from that of the previous year. Only $8.8 million was collected last year as compared to the $18.9 million collected in 2005.
His Majesty asked if a casual attitude was the cause, what has brought about this change.
In his titah, His Majesty advised his people to learn to be thankful and appreciative for all of Allah's bounties and in turn gain the benefits of life such as prosperity and happiness.
"Being thankful is easier said than done, and for this reason this attitude is valued by Allah and is the source of Allah's increase in all his favours."
His Majesty said that a wealthy person who is thankful of the wealth given to him by Allah will show his gratitude by putting his wealth to a good cause, among others, through paying tithe or zakat which will make him a happier person.
His Majesty also reminded his people of the benefits of giving tithe or zakat.
"Those who perform zakat will be assured of Allah's protection of their property. In other words, his wealth will not decrease and in fact may increase." said His Majesty.
The same goes for poorer people who His Majesty advised to show their thankfulness by adopting a modest attitude with whatever Allah has given them.
Another factor which His Majesty mentioned in his titah is society's confidence in the stability of zakat mechanisms in the sultanate.
"A lack of confidence in this is worrying and if unattended will spiral even further down."
His Majesty called on the relevant authorities to rectify this problem and not just by means of facts and data but with intense research and studies of the cause of the instability.
Before concluding the titah, His Majesty wished a Selamat Hari Raya to all Muslim residents of Brunei Darussalam and Bruneian Muslims abroad.
The Brunei Times
ARE economical factors, lack of confidence in the zakat distribution system or personal attitude contributing to the decrease of zakat collected? This is the question raised by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in this year's Hari Raya titah.
His Majesty referred to the recent statistics from relevant authorities which have shown the amount of tithe or zakat collected last year had dropped dramatically by $10 million from that of the previous year. Only $8.8 million was collected last year as compared to the $18.9 million collected in 2005.
His Majesty asked if a casual attitude was the cause, what has brought about this change.
In his titah, His Majesty advised his people to learn to be thankful and appreciative for all of Allah's bounties and in turn gain the benefits of life such as prosperity and happiness.
"Being thankful is easier said than done, and for this reason this attitude is valued by Allah and is the source of Allah's increase in all his favours."
His Majesty said that a wealthy person who is thankful of the wealth given to him by Allah will show his gratitude by putting his wealth to a good cause, among others, through paying tithe or zakat which will make him a happier person.
His Majesty also reminded his people of the benefits of giving tithe or zakat.
"Those who perform zakat will be assured of Allah's protection of their property. In other words, his wealth will not decrease and in fact may increase." said His Majesty.
The same goes for poorer people who His Majesty advised to show their thankfulness by adopting a modest attitude with whatever Allah has given them.
Another factor which His Majesty mentioned in his titah is society's confidence in the stability of zakat mechanisms in the sultanate.
"A lack of confidence in this is worrying and if unattended will spiral even further down."
His Majesty called on the relevant authorities to rectify this problem and not just by means of facts and data but with intense research and studies of the cause of the instability.
Before concluding the titah, His Majesty wished a Selamat Hari Raya to all Muslim residents of Brunei Darussalam and Bruneian Muslims abroad.
The Brunei Times