'Discussing Zakat for YouTubers': SII Lecturer Gives Public Lecture at Moscow Islamic Institute

Yogyakarta, Indonesia - On Wednesday, Feb 19, Ahmad Hujjaj Nurrohim, a lecturer in the Interdisciplinary Islamic Studies (SII) program at the Faculty of Dirasah Islamiyyah, gave a public lecture for students and the academic community at the Moscow Islamic Institute. The lecture, held in a hybrid format, was attended by Rinat Ibragimov, the Vice Rector for International Affairs at the Moscow Islamic Institute. 

The lecture was titled "Zakat in the Digital Age for YouTubers" and focused on those who have earned income up to one nisab. During the discussion, Nurrohim explained that YouTube income is one of the assets subject to zakat. He argued that this income falls under the category of al-māl al-mustafād, which refers to assets that a Muslim can benefit from through new ownership. 

"Since the nisab and zakat rate of al-māl al-mustafād are debated by scholars, income from YouTube is also subject to zakat. Some scholars argue that its zakat is akin to gold and silver, with a nisab equivalent to 80 grams of gold, a zakat rate of 2.5%, and the condition that it has reached one haul," he explained. 

He continued by explaining that, according to the first opinion, income that has been used, such as for consumption, is not counted as zakat-liable assets. However, if the second opinion is followed, the zakat is like agricultural produce, valued at 625 kg of staple food with a zakat rate of 5%. In this case, the zakat must be paid immediately, without waiting for the haul. Income that has been used is still counted as zakat-liable assets. 

His party follows the opinion that equates al-māl al-mustafād with gold and silver because it is considered to have stronger evidence. Although some scholars argue that the evidence is weak, following weak evidence is better than using qiyas. He also emphasized that the content uploaded on YouTube can determine whether the income is considered halal or haram. He stated that Zakat only applies to income from halal sources.

"YouTubers are obligated to pay zakat if the content of their videos is halal. If the content is haram, then the income is haram and not subject to zakat," he concluded. [Latifah]