NASFAT Kaduna Empowers Yet another Person … Gives Grinding Machine as Support

By Zainab Tainmu

Kaduna, North-West, NIGERIA

NASFAT Kaduna Zakat Committee is one committee that has been up and doing and has touched the lives of many. Be it members and nonmembers of the society.

Madam Idiyat Abdulwahab to whom a token of grinding machine was given is a nonmember of NASFAT. Idiyat from Zaria is one out of many to whom the society through it Zakat committee had extended its widow’s might.

This woman who was ill for over 2yrs in the cause of which she lost her means of livelihood as it is the injunction of Allah to extend love to a fellow human being had her hopes resuscitated with a token of a grinding machine donated to her by NASFAT. A trade she said to be very much familiar with.

Excerpts

“I have been hearing of NASFAT society. I had a grinding machine which l was using for business. The little money l make is what l use in taking care of my children.

“ When l fell ill everything shattered. All the money l had got finished on treatment. To feed became a problem. I then resorted to begging to feed myself and children. Sustaining myself and children with the money realized through begging even became difficult.

“There was a time l had to visit NASFAT Zaria branch and some money was raised for me but because l was seriously ill the whole money went for the illness.

Since l cannot continue to beg , this is why l have decided to come to NASFAT Kaduna, a larger branch to seek for assistance because l learnt that the branch always render assistant in order that l can have something doing and stop begging all over the place. I want to say ‘bye- bye  to bara’ (begging).

Those were the touchy words of Madam Idiyat in a brief interview with Zainab Tanimu of News Reservoir shortly after receiving her grinding machine, a gallon of petrol and some money before being taken to the park to board a vehicle going to Zaria.

Asked if she were married and also happy with the society’s decision of giving her grinding machine. She explained.

“Yes, l was married but before the illness we had separated. My husband left me with my two kids and got married to another wife. I really want to thank NASFAT Kaduna for this gesture.

The choice of a grinding machine was really mine. When l came and explained my problem to the Zakat Committee, l was asked what l wanted. After explaining, l was told to write a letter which l did. I requested for a grinding machine because that had been my trade. This is a business l understand which l have done for years.

There was a time l tried to switch over to another trade but could not make it. I went to Kano, bought clothes for sale but had some losses. I had to quickly go back to my grinding business.

I also wish to assist those in need too as l grow stronger in my business.  I say May the Almighty Allah bless NASFAT for wiping my tears” She ended.

Speaking, the Chairman, Zakat Committee, Ustaz Abdul Razaq Zulqarnain throws light on how the committee has fared and how Zakat is supposed to be given?

“Zakat is one of the 5 pillars of Islam. You don’t give zakat in peanut. Whatever you are giving as Zakat, it must be something that would equip the beneficiary so that the person in the nearer future would be able to give out to another person.

“If we in the religion of Islam follow the injunctions of Allah (SWT), the way Allah says we should practice it, and those beneficiaries of Zakat are equally doing it the way Allah says it should be done, l bet you, Islam would not know anything poverty.

“ Go to other countries of Islam that practice Zakat as sadakat, you would discover that in that country you would hardly see anything poverty in that society. He stressed.

“The society has engaged in a lot of activities since the inception of the Zakat Committee. We assist NASFAT and non NASFAT members even the Christians. Widows and orphans including other members that are in need who from time to time are assisted from the little resources we have.

During Ramadan widows among us are assisted with some foodstuff.

Ustaz Abdulrazak enjoined Muslims to strive hard in following the injunctions of Allah in order that the society can be a better place to live in.