NAZAS (zakkat) Distribution: NASFAT Kaduna Branch Distributes Items Worth Over 3M Naira to 38 Beneficiaries … says, zakkat an important pillar of lslam
NAZAS (zakkat) Distribution: NASFAT Kaduna Branch Distributes Items Worth Over 3M Naira to 38 Beneficiaries
… says, zakkat an important pillar of lslam
Zainab Tanimu
Kaduna, Northwest Nigeria
Nastrul -L-Fatih Society NASFAT Kaduna Branch has stressed on the importance of Muslim ummah paying their zakkat as enjoined by Allah.
This call was made during the 2024 NAZAS (zakkat) NASFAT Zakkat and Sadaqat distribution held at NASFAT village Kaduna.
The Guest Lecturer, Sheik Musbaudeen Abdulazeez had in his lecture on the theme, “Zakkat As A Pillar Of Islam: The benefits to the giver and receiver, lamented the lack of commitment in the performance of the noble act which he said is beneficial not only to the giver but the Muslim ummah in general.
Literally, Zakkat means purification. Zakkat purifies one’s heart and wealth. Muslims are required to pay zakkat annually on their wealth which includes, currently, gold silver and property once it reaches the threshold. (nisa).
It is one of the pillars of Islam.
Quoting from the verses of the Quran.
“Allah said, it is compulsory for us to pay Zakkat just as it is compulsory to observe our salat (prayers). It is Allah ‘s commandment.
“Sharing from what Allah gives you as zakkat cleanses one’s wealth. It also purifies one’s soul.”
He called on the well-to- do muslims in the society to take the act seriously as it has lots of benefits.
“One must be a true believer for one to have the full reward of payment of Zakkat.
“You must have the believe that there is no other deity to be worship except Allah.
“A true Muslim should obey all the five pillars of Islam. He added.
However, there are laid down conditions in the payment of zakkat.
Zakkat is paid by taking inventory of one’s possessions and wealth. Once they reach nisab or the threshold. The total amount to be paid is 2.5% or 1/40 of
one’s total savings and wealth.
Zakkat is given on a yearly basis.
He noted that if only the injunctions on the payment of zakka were adhered to by eligible Muslims, by sharing part of one’s wealth to the needy as stated by Allah, there will be no poverty in the nation.
And if an eligible Muslim refuses to give out zakkat, Allah will surely remove the potion in one way or the other. He stated.
The presenter enumerated what can be used for zakkat, and those to benefit from it.
Chairman, NASFAT Zakkat and Sadaqat Committee, ( NAZAS) Alhaji Kamaldeen Usman said over 3million naira have been spent for this year’s Zakkat distribution exercise .
All together, thirty-eight beneficiarie were gifted with various items. This includes, deep freezers, sewing machines, grinder, cooking gas, and food items, he explained.
“Out of the 38 beneficiaries, 10 were non – NASFAT members.
Aside from the above gifted items, we also pay medical bills. We pay school fees, and we also gave money to travellers.”
On the criterias used in the selection of beneficiaries, beneficiaries he explained were selected after a thorough screening.
“The criteria is clearly spelt out in Quran chapter 9, verse 6.
“We clearly followed the sunnah and the injunction of the Holy Quran in giving out these gifts.
“Beneficiaries are selected after a thorough screening of individual’s application letter submitted to Zakkat and Sadaqat Committee.
“They are then invited for an interview. During the interaction, questions are asked to ascertain their needs and their credibility.
“We have so many members. Muslims who are dedicated, they want to worship Allah. Infact, in the course of interviewing the beneficiaries, we came across a lot of cases that are very sympathetic.
“There is poverty in Nigeria, is part of what inspired us.
This distribution that we did today, there are some marriages that are about to break up that we quickly covered up. Our challenge is that the fund is not enough to meet up with the needs.
To ensure judicious use of the money, that is, used for the purpose it is meant for, NASFAT representative accompany’s individuals to purchase what each demanded for.
NASFAT he explained has set up a post monitoring team that will go from time to time to ensure that the business is well managed. Where advice is needed, help will be rendered.
The society expects that as the business grows, with time, such person will be of assistance to someone.
According to him there is no government support.
“We did not get any kobo from any government. All the funds were provided by Muslims. Members and non – members and that is why our gifted items were also given to both members and non members of NASFAT.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman NASFAT Kaduna Branch Alhaji AbdulAkeem Adeniji also stressed on the importance of zakkat. Its importance he explained, “can be realized from the fact that in 82 verses of the Qurian, Zakkat is associated with prayers (Salat).
He buttressed his point with ,(Qurian 33 verse 33)”
“Establish regular prayer and give Zakat, and obey Allah and His messenger.
“If social justice and compassion of fellow humans who are disadvantaged is one of the central themes in the message of Allah to humanity, then it is no wonder that Zakkat, like prayer and fasting, was also enjoined upon the people of the past. He added.
Adeniji enjoined every Muslim who is eligible to give zakkat to do so for Allah loves those who give.
He appreciated all the donors and well wishers of NASFAT, praying that Allah continues to elevate each an everyone as they strive towards the course of Allah.
Also appreciated were all executive members, zakkat and sadaqat committee and the entire members of NASFAT for their contributions.
“I want to use this opportunity to appreciate the efforts of all our stakeholders in making sure that the zakkat collection, management and distribution is being encouraged and the process is transparent through the procedures put in place by the Zakkat and Sadaqat committee.
May the Almighty Allah reward us abundantly Amin.
“Meanwhile, it is important to acknowledge the spirit of giving by all our donors both known and unknown personalities. It is not easy to part away with our money, even though the process of Zakkat has been sanctioned by the Almighty. May Almighty continue to uplift all our donors, bless their sources of income and reward them in this life and in the hereafter. Amin.
He also appreciated the efforts of Kaduna state government and individuals in ameliorating the suffering of the vulnerable.
Adeniji called for government’s partnership with NASFAT in terms of palliative and other areas of advancing the state.
Advising the beneficiaries, he charged them to make judicious use of items given so that they too can be of assistance to others.
Speaking, hajiya Baloni commending NASFAT in its continuous efforts to touch lives through various programs called on Muslims to develop the spirit of giving by ensuring that they pay their zakkat.
“My dear brothers and sisters in NASFAT, this is a very excellent occasion where we have learnt more on the value of zakkat.
“We have heard the implications of paying zakkat and not paying zakkat and l hope that we will hold on to this knowledge, practise it and pray that Almighty Allah will help us strengthen our Iman and continue on the path of the Holy Prophet Muhammed. (saw) She stressed.
In her own contribution, hajiya Sa’adatu Mahmood encouraged the women to develop the spirit of paying zakkat as a way of seeking aljalna.
She urged the women to instead of keeping their gold and diamonds in their boxes to use them to seek for blessings.
“Both gold and diamonds, let it be out of the boxes so that you pay zakkat and get a way to get to aljalna. May Allah give us the ability to pay zakkat and to enjoy the benefits of zakkat”
NASFAT VP11 Worldwide, Alhaji Ajiroba Maroof Adedokun together with National Ex-officio for NASFAT Alhaji Kabir Raji presenting part of the Items to one of the beneficiaries
Fielding questions from newsmen, NASFAT VP11 Worldwide, Alhaji Ajiroba Maroof Adedokun expressed satisfaction with what he has witnessed. He praised the North for upholding the set standard of NASFAT.
“Alhamdulillah, our programme, our asalatu and everything NASFAT in the northern region depicts our standard.
He commended NASFAT in north for not only being able to preach what is being preached in other places but to also show that NASFAT is not a yoruba speaking society.
“What l saw here today gladdens my heart. As the VP 11, my responsibility is to see that no Muslim is left behind in NASFAT. Whether you are Nupe, whether you are itsekiri, whether lbo, Hausa etc., once you get to NASFAT you must feel at home. Here, they also speak in hausa.
If you look at what NASFAT stands for, it is a pace setter lslamic organization. Our main focus is to create an enlightened Muslim society, to reawaken to the consciousness of Muslims all about their religion Islam.
He noted that anywhere, NASFAT women remains the society’s identify but that a slight difference is seen in the dressing in the north which he admired. Rather than the veil, (gele) being used by the women in the south, the women in the north put on hijab which is more of the culture in the north.
“Our women are our identity. When you see them outside, you know that these are NASFAT members.”
On the issue of zakkat, he lamented that it has almost become forgotten as people don’t take it seriously. He encouraged that more efforts be directed in paying zakkat because it is an important pillar of lslam.
“Zakkat is one of the forgotten pillars of Islam. Whether we like it or not, the level at which people do other Ibadah like salat, hajj, is not the same temple that we do zakkat. lt is one of the pillars of lslam that should not be taken for levity.
He congratulated NASFAT Kaduna Branch for the distribution of various items as zakkat while urging the beneficiaries to make good use of the Items so as to be of help to others.
National Ex- officio NASFAT, Alhaji Kabir Raji appreciating NASFAT Kaduna Branch for the initiative urged them to remain focused in the good job.
“I am highly elated with the efforts being put in by members of Kaduna branch to achieve this milestone. My advise to the beneficiaries is that they should make use of these items given to them judiciously.
They should also have it at the back of their minds that the items given to them are for business and not gift, therefore should implore strategies that will help their businesses to grow.
The Zonal Chairman, Alhaji Saheed Popoola Gambari speaking through the Zonal Secretary, Shoyomi Babajide Azeez congratulated NASFAT Kaduna Branch for a successful event.
He urged them not to relent in their efforts to touch lives as enjoined by the religion lslam.
The Zonal Missioner Imam Ma’rooph Muhammed Raji prayed for the donors, stakeholders, well wishers of NASFAT and the entire members for their support.
The lmam prayed for the beneficiaries charging them to use the opportunity provided to better not only their lots but also that of others.
(L-R) NASFAT Kaduna Zonal Public Relations Secretary, Hajiya Zainab Tanimu, NASFAT VP11 Worldwide, Alhaji Ajiroba Maroof Adedokun together with National Ex-officio for NASFAT Alhaji Kabir Raji and NASFAT Kaduna Branch’s Public Relations Secretary, Hajiya Medinat Lawal in a group picture with their National officers
