Zakat Institution: A Study on its Contribution to Community Development in Talipao, Sulu

Abstract

The institutionalization of zakat in Talipao is not accurately and highly specialized, but it is only suitable to the ability and power that could be done by the people of Talipao as a zakat institution, though not highly institutionalized. It is only appropriate to the level standard of the adat (tradition) of the community. Fortunately, it could give realization to the mind of the individual Muslims in Talipao. Furthermore, zakat institution had already been materialized some developments in Talipao, Sulu that the people of said community can at least be having a suitable comfort in terms of worship in the masjid and knowing Islam in the madrasah. In addition, there is also a dividend from zakat institution given to the needy and poor individuals as their suitable livelihood assistance. The Da'wah Al-Islamiyyah is also conducted in the Talipao community; the people have learned more Islamic knowledge and understanding that can lead them to worship Allah (SWT) alone properly in a manner of the Prophetic Sunnah. They have seen the reality of Islam that is being glittered under the teaching process of Da'wah Al-Islamiyyah. Under the development in Talipao, individual students have learned Islamic science under the principle of Islamic education which is conducted in a madrasah created in Talipao. However, they use Islam in a way that can lead them to comfortable living amd support their Islamic morality. This principle has served them as their wisdom and philosophy in their life. Even the zakat institution has faced challenges such as management, organization, process and mostly war between the MNLF and GRP during the Marcos regime in the early 1970s. However, with all the challenges that zakat institutions have faced, the institution has a prospect beyond Talipao, Sulu. It dreams to remain in touch with its goals and objectives of the future of the Talipao through one generation after another. It has been aiming to remain steadfast and determined to continue the mission of past forefathers and to the future progress in Talipao Sulu. The researcher is recommending that the zakat institution in Talipao must maintain the good outlook of the organization, management and process of the zakat institution so that it can provide strong resistance of the organization including its program objectives that are being carried out in the process of the implementation of its plan and development in the Talipao community as a whole. It should be doing its obligation and duties on every activity being done. Its tendency is that it can maintain its determination to survive along the process in all its objective with all constituents including all inhabitants of Talipao and their necessities throughout life. This must be done correctly in light of Islamic principles and teachings as well as its wisdoms.