A survey on the space and living condition of zakat house for Asnafs Fakr and Miskin

In Malaysia, the asnafs fakr and miskin receive monetary assistance from the zakat authority for shelter or housing either to build new houses (for those that own land), to repair current houses or to help in meeting the cost of rental charges. The paper aims to bring to attention the state of houses occupied by the asnafs. It provides a review on the roles of the zakat authorities in providing houses for the asnafs and examines on the appropriateness and adequacy of the indoor space and living conditions of those houses. The study combines desk research with a questionnaire survey. Case studies of houses occupied by the asnafs were conducted to ascertain their level of satisfaction. The outcome suggests that the houses are neither appropriate nor adequate in meeting the needs and requirements of the households of the asnafs. Thus, the roles of the zakat authorities should go beyond just providing monetary assistance. It is also recommended that the zakat authorities to make reference to currently available standards when considering funding newly built houses repair of existing houses or renting houses for the asnafs. In the longer term, zakat funded housing should establish their own standard of design and specifications
that is Shari’ah compliant.