Reception of Local Customary Traditions in Islamic Law: The Practice of Zakat Al-Fitr in the Sailolof Muslim Community of West Papua
Reception of Local Customary Traditions in Islamic Law:
The Practice of Zakat Al-Fitr in the Sailolof Muslim Community of West Papua
Sudirman
Surahman Amin
Muh. Rusdi Rasyid
Hasse Jubba
 
Abstract: Receptie a Contrario theory emphasizes that if there is a conflict between customary law and Islamic law, then Islamic law will be the source of the solution. This article examines customary traditions followed by the Sailolof Muslim community in the West Papua regarding the collection and distribution of zakat al-fitr. The analysis and findings in this research are based on data collected through semi-structured interviews of selected people from the Sailolof Muslim community. The key findings indicate that the Sailolof Muslim community carries out their religious obligation for the payment of zakat al-fitr, however, there are nuances of local traditions that dominate the practice of collecting and distributing it. Regarding the practice of collecting zakat al-fitr, it is carried out on the last day of the month of Ramadan using special scales and ballast stones weighing 3 Kilograms. The practice of zakat al-fitr is also affected by mystical belief that aim to detect whether or not the person paying zakat al-fitr is perfect at fasting. The distribution of zakat al-fitr is carried out on the 7th day of Shawwal after Eid al-Fitr, which is not based on the Sunnah of Prophet Mohammad. The overall practice related to zakat al-fitr followed by the Sailolof Muslim community is therefore dominated by customary traditions which do not sit well with Islamic law.

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