Zakat Board
Governance Charter & Member Framework — 150 Free Beds for the Underprivileged
Islamic Legal Basis of Zakat
"Zakah expenditures are only for the poor (Fuqara) and for the needy (Masakin), and for those employed to collect it, and for bringing hearts together, and for freeing captives, and for those in debt, and for the cause of Allah, and for the stranded traveler — an obligation imposed by Allah."
The BTFHH Zakat Board operates exclusively within the Shariah framework defined by Surah At-Tawbah 9:60. All Zakat collected is directed to Fuqara (poor) and Masakin (needy) patients only — those who meet the verified eligibility criteria established by the Shariah Supervisory Board.
The 8 Categories — BTFHH Eligibility Map
The Poor
Fuqara (الفقراء)Patients with zero income — no assets, cannot pay any medical cost
The Needy
Masakin (المساكين)Patients with insufficient income — cannot afford treatment without support
Zakat Collectors
Amileen (العاملون عليها)Staff managing Zakat collection & administration (limited % only)
Bringing Hearts Together
Mu'allafat Qulub (المؤلفة قلوبهم)Not applicable in BTFHH hospital context
Freeing Captives
Riqab (في الرقاب)Not applicable in hospital context
Those in Debt
Gharimin (الغارمون)Patients who incurred medical debt — reviewed case by case
In the Cause of Allah
Fi Sabilillah (في سبيل الله)Hospital's charitable mission qualifies under scholarly opinion
Stranded Traveler
Ibn Sabil (ابن السبيل)Out-of-district patients stranded without means — reviewed
Patient Eligibility Criteria for Zakat Free Beds
Patient's monthly household income is below the national poverty line (currently BDT 4,500/month per capita). Verified by NID, income declaration, and community leader attestation.
Patient has no active health insurance policy or employer-provided medical coverage.
Patient cannot receive treatment through any other free government scheme or NGO healthcare programme.
Patient must be a Bangladeshi Muslim. Non-Muslim patients in extreme distress considered on humanitarian grounds with Shariah Board written approval.
Treatment cannot be safely delayed. Emergency cases admitted immediately — eligibility verified within 48 hours.
Patient has not received Zakat benefits for the same illness from another organisation in the same period.
CRITICAL: Fund Separation Principle
The Zakat Fund is maintained in a fully segregated Islamic bank account — EXCLUSIVELY in the name of the BTFHH Zakat Board. It is legally ring-fenced and cannot be: (1) mixed with the Operational Fund, (2) mixed with the Waqf Fund, (3) used for construction or equipment, (4) used for staff salaries except the Zakat administrator's allowance (max 12.5% per Shariah principle). Any breach is a violation of Shariah law and a criminal breach of trust.
Zakat Board Members — 9 Members
Zakat Board Chair (Ameer al-Zakat)
Senior Mufti / Alim — 15+ yrs Islamic charity administration
Vice Chair
Senior Doctor + Social Welfare Officer — dual role, community health experience
Shariah Supervisor
Quarterly fatwa certification of all distributions
Financial Auditor
Segregated Islamic bank account management
Legal Compliance
Advocate — NGO & Charity Law; Bangladesh Bank compliance
Diaspora Coordinator
Expatriate Community Leader — overseas Zakat campaigns
Community Liaison
Local Ward Councillor / Imam / Mosque Leader
Social Worker
Certified Social Worker — home visits, poverty evidence
Tech & Records
IT Manager — donor portal, digital records, transparency reports
Give Your Zakat — Save a Life
150 beds are reserved exclusively for patients who cannot afford treatment. Your Zakat makes this possible.