3 Letters to 3 Steps: The Sustainability Process and NAP

NZF’s approach to Muslims in need of Zakat

Why Are Zakat Recipients Important to Us?

The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Beware of the supplication of the oppressed, for there is no barrier between them and Allah.” Oppressed people are those whose rights are taken away and Zakat is the right of the poor Muslim. When those who are eligible to pay Zakat do not pay Zakat, they are depriving the poor of their right, making them oppressed. This is horrible for the poor in our community and can lead to severe repercussions for those who should be paying Zakat.

Every year thousands of inquiries are made to the National Zakat Foundation by people who are experiencing complex financial situations. Some of these inquirers have little to no money to buy food, or pay for their living expenses. The truth behind the welfare system is pretty unfortunate, and most of the time the average welfare return for each family is less than the expenses for their basic needs.

Once we receive an inquiry, we follow a strict three-step transitional program that encompasses the entire process of Zakat eligibility.

What Do We Do When Someone Comes to Us for Assistance? We NAP.

NZF’s three step-transitional process covers three aspects: Needs, Aid, and Plan.

Emergency Needs

This is the first step NZF takes for urgent emergency situations. An emergency situation is categorized as a basic need with a time constraint. Someone who has a shortfall in rent would have to apply for aid since they technically have a roof over their heads and likely can wait for assessment. Someone who is living on the streets with no food is directed to 211, a government emergency line connecting people to human services. NZF still requires inquirers who need funding to apply for Zakat aid so that their case can be assessed and prioritized.

Zakat Aid

Once an inquirer applies for Zakat, they become an applicant. They are assigned a caseworker who will look over their financial situation and represent them on the panel. Applicants send in required documents to their caseworkers and wait for the panel’s decision. If the panel approves the eligibility of the case, the applicant will become a recipient of Zakat aid.

For more information about our distribution process and how the panel works, please click here.

Self-Sufficiency Plan

NZF’s vision is to establish both a selfless and self-sufficient Canadian Muslim community, where no individual in need is left abandoned. Our goal is for all recipients to achieve a level of financial stability through Zakat aid so that they are not completely dependant on us in the long run and are able to function independently. For this reason, we provide all recipients with Zakat aid for a period of time in order to assist them in regaining stability at this difficult time in their lives. Once recipients receive their aid, our caseworkers walk them through the application procedure for different government programs and provide them with resources relating to government aid programs, jobs, and other avenues of income before putting their case aside to be reviewed in a month or two. After this period has passed, their case is reassessed and checked to see what can be done to help.

Written by: Aisha H.