An Islamic cleric and acting Imam of Alhaji Khaleel Fawehinmi Central Mosque, Government House, Akure, Alhaji Abdulwaasi Yusuf, has identified the proper payment and distribution of Zakat (form of charity) as a vital tool for tackling poverty, insecurity and promoting national peace.
He said the economic hardship facing the country, which is of the belief of average Nigerians to be solved by government alone could be over come if Zakat’ is properly paid.
Delivering a lecture on the theme, “Zakat and Social Responsibility: “Strengthening Economic Security, Community Cohesion and National Peace,” at a programme organised by Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation,the Islamic scholar said the current economic hardship in the country has become more severe because many individuals who are financially capable have neglected their social responsibilities.
He stressed that while government has a role to play in addressing the nation’s economic challenges, individuals must also contribute to alleviating the suffering of the less privileged through Zakat and acts of charity.
According to him, Zakat serves as an effective mechanism for reducing poverty, noting that widespread hunger and deprivation are among the factors fueling insecurity.
“The bandits in the forests are not rich people. Many of them only work on commission for criminal activities. Just as a well-fed dog will not roam about looking for food, if hunger is eliminated in society, crime will reduce significantly,” he said.
Yusuf explained that Zakat is a religious obligation that concerns every eligible Muslim. Tracing its historical foundation, he noted that gold and silver were traditionally used as the standard for determining Zakat.
He urged Muslims who possess the required wealth to continue paying Zakat faithfully, while encouraging those who are not yet financially capable to pray for Allah’s blessings so they too can become contributors to the welfare of others.
The cleric listed beneficiaries of Zakat to include the poor, Imams, prisoners, debtors, orphans, charitable foundations and coordinators involved in the collection and distribution of Zakat.
He added that Zakat purifies the wealth and soul of the giver, atones for sins and attracts Allah’s love and blessings upon the donor and members of the donor’s family.
To illustrate its calculation, Yusuf explained that the Zakat payable on an income or wealth of ₦1.6 million is 2.5 per cent, amounting to ₦40,000.
He called on Muslims to embrace the true essence of Zakat by supporting the needy, saying that greater compliance with the obligation would strengthen economic security, foster community cohesion and contribute to lasting peace in the country.
A total of 18 beneficiaries received the distributed items, including deep freezers, grinding machines, sewing machines, and cash worth ₦3 million.
Speaking at the event, the Patron of the foundation, Prof. Ishiaq Amoo, expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for making the programme a reality. He noted that the foundation, established in 2017, is marking its 10th anniversary with sustained humanitarian interventions aimed at supporting vulnerable members of society.
He appealed to well-meaning individuals and organisations to partner with the foundation by contributing to its charitable activities, stressing that such support would enable it to reach more beneficiaries.
According to him, the foundation’s interventions extend beyond the annual widows’ empowerment programme to include a Back-to-School initiative, which provides educational materials to students, the construction of boreholes in communities to improve access to potable water, and the award of scholarships to deserving students.
Prof. Amoo also urged Muslims to take the obligation of zakat more seriously, describing it as one of the fundamental pillars of Islam that has the potential to reduce poverty and improve the well-being of society when faithfully observe.
The Alafin of Afin-Akoko in Akoko North-West Local Government area of Ondo State, Oba AbdulRaheem Adejoro, said the gesture underscores the responsibility of all Muslims to embrace the spirit of the programme by supporting the less privileged from their wealth.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Marufat Hazmat, a widow, appreciated the foundation for presenting her with a deep freezer and prayed for Allah’s blessings, expressing the hope that she would also become a giver of charity to others.
Dignitaries at the event included Olu of Ita-Oniyan, Oba Ishiaq Akinyemi and Islamic leaders .