Zakat Fund

Geographic Scope: Primary priority for Muslims living in Charlottesville and neighboring counties where ISCV is the closest Islamic organization

Purpose: To collect and distribute Zakat (one of the five pillars of Islam) in accordance with the Qu'ran and Sunnah on behalf of individuals who choose to give their Zakat through the ISCV. The fund also provides non-interest bearing loans as financial assistance to members of the local Muslim community.

Eligible Recipients (per Qu'ran 9:60):

• The poor and needy
• Those who administer Zakat
• Those whose hearts need winning over
• Slaves for the purpose of freeing them
• Those in debt
• The cause of Allah
• Wayfarers

Priority Recipients: Muslims unable to cover costs of:

• Food
• Housing
• Clothing
• Basic utilities
• Medical treatment
• Transportation to and from employment

Fund Structure:

• Officially recognized permanent fund established per ISCV bylaws
• Zakah Fund Committee (ZFC) of 3-5 members appointed by ISCV board for one-year renewable terms
• ZFC members must be known for excellent character and trustworthiness
• ZFC members and their relatives cannot apply while serving
• No guarantee of continuous fund balance; disbursements made as soon as possible

Location: 708 Pine St. Charlottesville, VA 22903

Application Process

1. Obtain Application Form
   • Available on-site at ISCV masjid (708 Pine St.)
   • Available online at charlottesvillemasjid.com
   • Assistance provided for non-English speakers or those with writing difficulties
2. Complete Application
   • Complete and sign the Zakah Application Form (Appendix 1) in full
   • Provide all necessary supporting documentation for verification
   • Applicant must sign the form themselves (not another party)
3. Supporting Documentation Required
   • All applications must include complete supporting documents
   • Applications without all required documents will be excluded from consideration
   • ZFC may request additional documentation if needed
4. Submit Application
   • Submit to any authorized person:
   • ZFC members
   • ISCV board members
   • ISCV manager
   • Mosque imam
   • Community members may submit forms on behalf of applicants
   • Forms not collected by ZFC members must be handed to ZFC within two days
5. ZFC Review
   • All ZFC members review completed applications within one week of receipt
   • ZFC may question veracity of documentation and request additional evidence
6. Decision and Approval
   • ZFC must unanimously agree on approval/rejection and disbursement amount (up to $1,000)
   • For 2:1 votes, application goes to ISCV board for decision
   • Applications over $1,000 require ISCV board decision after ZFC recommendation
   • ZFC members sign application after decision
   • Rejected applications documented with reason for rejection
7. Disbursement
   • Treasurer issues check in beneficiary's name (e.g., landlord, hospital)
   • Check directly issued to entity owed the debt when possible
   • All checks require authorized ISCV signatures
   • Carbon copy stapled to application and filed for 10 years

Important Notes:

• Approved Zakat is not to be repaid in money or labor by recipient or family
• All applications and supporting documents filed in locked cabinet for 10 years
• No exceptions made for incomplete applications