Zakat to be given by corporation, not pilgrims: Fatwa

The Supreme Council for Fatwa has stated that the Maldives Hajj Corporation should be the ones paying zakat, not the Hajj-goers who pay the corporation.

The fatwa passed by the council last Tuesday (8th July 2025), "Concerning the Hajj trip payments from Maldives Hajj Corporation Ltd. and the zakat that needs to be paid", has been made public on their website.

The fatwa issued on a petition seeking the advice of the council on payment of zakat on money paid to the Hajj Corporation said the decision was taken in the light of information provided by the Hajj Corporation to the Fatwa Council.

After members of the council reviewed the information, it was concluded that the zakat should be made by the Hajj Corporation itself and not via the money being paid by people who want to go to Hajj.

Hajj Corporation has stated on January 2025 that there is a queue with more than 9,000 individuals who want to go on the religious and spiritual journey, of which a slot in the queue can only be confirmed after payment, be it the full payment or a pre-determined amount. Some people tend to pay via instalment as well.

A payment of MVR 69,965 is to be made to Hajj Corporation in order to go to Hajj using their services.