A cleric, Imam Sheidu Ohita, has urged wealthy Muslims to pay regular Zakat (poor dues) so as to empower the needy in their communities.
Zakat is the third pillar of Islam a Muslim must fulfill in obedience to Allah and it is aimed at eliminating abject poverty in a given Muslim community.
It is the 2.5 per cent of the wealth accumulated by a rich individual over one year and it serves as a cleanser to such wealth which is left untouched during the period.
Ohita, who is also the Ameer (President) of Muslim Corpers’ Association of Nigeria (MCAN), Enugu Chapter, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Monday.
He explained that zakat is a Qur’anic injunction intended to guarantee social security for the poorest and ensure peaceful co-existence.
“Of course, it is a kind of re-distribution of wealth between the rich and the needy or poor.
“During the time of the Messenger of Allah through this collection of zakat, some people will collect zakat at the end of the day when they start expanding this wealth been given to them, then they will stand on their own.
“You will discover that by the next year, they too they would be giving out zakat.
“So, giving out this zakat serves as a re-distribution of wealth among Nigerians.
“Because, once zakat is given to you, you can start a little business and at the end of the day you will expand and be enriched (by Allah).
“At the end of the day, you too can continue paying zakat.’’
Commenting on the lessons of Ramadan, the cleric urged Muslims to show exemplary conduct in their respective communities in keeping with the virtues they have imbibed during the 29-day fasting .
“As Muslims we are charged to keep peace and portray Islam in good light by showing good example everywhere we find ourselves while we fear Allah in our private and public lives.” (NAN)
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