A Comparative Analysis of MUI Fatwa No. 65 of 2022 on Zakat Fitrah: A Fiqhi Perspective

Abstract

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) functions as a religious authority responsible for guiding, nurturing, and fostering the Indonesian Muslim community through the issuance of fatwas related to various religious and social issues. MUI Fatwa Number 65 of 2022 addresses the legality of using money as a means of paying zakat fitrah, in addition to the traditional staples of food. This fatwa was issued to clarify the legal aspects surrounding the payment of zakat fitrah with currency. This study seeks to explore how MUI Fatwa Number 65 of 2022 aligns with the fiqh provisions across the four major Islamic schools of thought. Utilizing a descriptive-comparative method combined with a qualitative approach, this research analyzes the fatwa in the context of existing fiqh literature. By conducting library research, various relevant sources are reviewed to support this investigation. The findings indicate that the MUI fatwa permitting the payment of zakat fitrah in monetary form aligns with the Hanafi school’s opinion. However, it adopts the conversion measure that is standardized according to the Shafi'i school. This legal derivation is grounded in the principle of al-akhdzu aw al-ikhtiyar bil-aisar al-madzahib, which advocates for selecting the most lenient opinion among the various schools of thought, thus promoting public welfare.