Zakat Policy

The issue of Zakat is the focus of much attention and even debate. Confusion around Zakat can arise as this pillar of Islam is handled in many different and sometimes unclear ways by different charities. The lofty guarantee of a ‘100% Zakat’ policy is a commonly used term. Social media is abuzz with slogans that confidently claim 100% of Zakat donations will be utilised for Zakat eligible groups. The Graham Layton Trust sets out a clear and robust policy about how Zakat donations are managed.

 

Practical and ethical issues 

There are many practical and ethical reasons why a 100% Zakat policy cannot actually work. Raising and managing funds has inherent costs; they include the costs of receiving, processing and managing donations as well as providing feedback and fundraising. These are costs that all charities incur without exception. In order to ensure a 100% Zakat policy, funds have to be drawn from other types of donations.

In practice this means that disproportionate funds would be drawn from other 'pots' such as Sadaqah to cover the costs associated with managing and processing Zakat donations. This can mean those who have donated their Sadaqah in Ramadan or at other times of year are having a much larger portion of their donation deducted (often unknowingly) to cover costs elsewhere. This raises ethical issues about how funds are used without the donors knowledge or express consent. 

 

Our Approach

All funds raised by the Graham Layton Trust are used solely to support the work of Layton Rahmatulla Benevolent Trust and all donations are used by LRBT as advised by their Shariah Advisor, Mufti Muhammad Ibrahim Essa from Alhamd Shariah Advisory Services (PVT) Ltd.

At the Graham Layton Trust, we keep all the categories of donations clear and avoid overlap. Rather than taking money from other pots, we know it is religiously valid and ethically right to use a small percentage of the actual Zakat donation to administer that donation and generate further funds. Above all, this is the approach to Zakat prescribed by Allah (swt) in the Qur’an when defining how Zakat may be used. This means that giving a small portion of your Zakat donation to us is completely permissible and allows us to ensure your Zakat is handled with the utmost care and it is distributed efficiently and effectively to those who really need it.

In His eternal and infinite wisdom, Allah (swt) ordained that one of the categories of people eligible to receive a portion of the Zakat funds are the administrators of Zakat (al ’amilina alayha). These are those who are responsible for collecting, storing, guarding, registering and distributing Zakat. In fact, this category of people comes third only after the poor (al-fuqara) and needy (al-masakin). It is not only understood that there will be costs incurred when collecting and distributing Zakat, but a whole category was dedicated for this purpose precisely so we may be open and transparent in where funds are spent.

 

Our Experience

The Graham Layton Trust is honoured to have been handling Zakat donations for over 35 years. Over this time, we have built up the knowledge and expertise to ensure your money reaches the most deserving, quickly, effectively and with full transparency.

We are committed to ensuring the honest and optimum distribution of your Zakat funds because we understand the great amanah (trust) we have been given by accepting Zakat donations and utilising them correctly. 

We endeavour to always remain true to our vision of providing a robust, transparent and effective Zakat service for all. Our commitment to this will never waver as we seek to honour the gift of Zakat InshaAllah.