THE Chief Imam of Daaru Na’im Central Mosque, Sheikh Imran Abdulmajeed Eleha, has cautioned beneficiaries of zakat disbursement against abusing the gesture by turning themselves into permanent recipients of zakat proceeds.
The Saudi Arabia-trained Nigerian scholar said the purpose of zakat is to empower the undeprivileged who should utilise whatever they get judiciously.
Sheikh Eleha was speaking at the ninth edition of zakat and sadaqah disbursement of Jaiz Charity and Development Foundation, one of Nigeria’s faith-based poverty alleviation and empowerment non-governmental organisations renowned for philantrophy for the needy.
The event, which was held on Tuesday at Beleke Smith Memorial Mosque, Surulere, Lagos, saw the disbursement of a total sum of N15 million to 165 beneficiaries grouped into four categories.
In his lecture, Sheikh Imran Eleha explained that zakat is one of the empowerment and anti-poverty strategies established by the Shari’a. He warned against the abuse of the privilege by beneficiaries.
“The purpose of zakat is to empower underprivileged people. Therefore, once you are selected as a beneficiary, you are to use the money or zakat item judiciously. It is not ideal for people to abuse the zakat collection by turning themselves into permanent recipients. The best thing is for zakat beneficiaries to strive to reciprocate the gesture by paying back in the coming years.
“During the time of Umar Ibn Abdulazeez, one of the Caliphs of Islam, the Ummah disbursed zakat for two years, and people had become so empowered that in the following year (which is the third), nobody had cause to receive zakat,” he said.
Sheikh Eleha noted that the challenge of poverty and hunger bedevilling the Nigerian society is due to “our low application of zakat” as a strategy to empower the underprivileged people.
“The Islamic community must have arrangements for empowering Muslims. The Shari’a has established many ways, including sadaqah, zakat and others. It is because we do not follow these ways properly that we are still facing a huge challenge of hunger and poverty today,” he added.
He commended Jaiz Foundation and other Islamic organisations administrating the collection and disbursement of zakat in Nigeria, noting that they are preserving the Shari’a.
“We must commend the job that organisations like Jaiz Foundation are doing to preserve the Shari’a in the area of zakat and sadaqah administration. May the Almighty Allah reward them abundantly for emancipating the underprivileged in the society,” he said.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Dr Abdullahi Shuaib, revealed that the purposes of this year’s zakat disbursement included education, health, economic empowerment and welfare.
“At today’s event, no fewer than 165 indigent Nigerians will be presented with cheques and tools worth N15 million for economic empowerment, health, livelihood, educational intervention, among others.
“The sum of N6.4 million was earmarked for the economic empowerment category comprising 32 beneficiaries. Similarly, while the sum of N4.5 million went for education support, N2.8 million was awarded for humanitarian support. Six beneficiaries shared the sum of N1.7 million in the health category,” Dr Shuaib, said.
The Jaiz Foundation CEO appreciated the zakat payers for their support and donations over the years while urging other wealthy individuals to fulfil the obligation.
“We ask Allah to continue to bless the zakat payers’ wealth, families and enterprises as they continue to support the cause of Allah and humanity,” he stated.
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