Towards A Unified Zakat System

In The Name of God the Merciful the CompassionatePermitting the people of Al-Qassim to collect and distributethe Zakat on properties themselves..From Abdul Aziz Bin Abdul Rahman Al-FaisalTo Our Son Abdallah Bin Abdul Aziz Bin Mussa'd -Peace, Mercy and the Blessings of God -be upon you. You already know thatobserving the orders of the Glorious God is a Religious duty. God has imposed on hisworshipers the Zakat which His prophet (God's peace and blessings be upon. him) hasdefined as the third among the five pillars of Islam after the two professions of faithand prayer. To desist from paying Zakat is like preventing heaven from raining, ashas been told by the prophet of God. We order that Zakat on property be collectedfrom all owners of property and nobody is to be exempted. You should select two orthree of the notables under the supervision of the Qadi (Judge) and every Moslemshould pay to them the Zakat due from him, under your's and the Qadi's supervision.For ourselves we are not in need of it, but we have two purposes in mind: first, thatpeople should follow the rituals of God and, second, that the Zakat be distributed tothose who are in need of it from among the poor and destitute people. We hope thatyou will give full attention to enforcing our order and nobody is allowed to deviatefrom paying it.12 Ramadan 1371 H. (516152) Royal Seal