By Brave Dickson
The Alabo Edi-Abali of Kalabari Kingdom, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo Asari has told Islamic leaders such as the Imams and other wealthy Muslims to stop receiving Zakat and start giving Zakat, adding that Zakat was designed by Allah to lift the poor.
Zakat is an Islamic financial term and it is one of the pillars of the faith. It requires all Muslims to donate a portion of their wealth to charity. Muslims must meet a certain threshold before they can qualify for Zakat. The amount is 2.5% or 1/40 of an individual’s total savings and wealth.
According to Asari: “Zakat is compulsory on everyone of us. You have to go and make sure you get the rice, the garri or whatever is commonly eaten in your environment and give it to those around you who do not have,” as he also urged them to do it before the end of Ramadan.
“It is good for you to give out. To be a Muslim is a privileged. And that is why Muslims will never be in agreement with other people because most religions take God as their servant.
“In the Quran, Allah said there is a solution to every problem. Islam basically preaches human relationships especially what you can do for humanity.
“Zakat is not for the Imam. Zakat is not for the Mallam. Zakat is for the poor amongst us. Once your wealth is Zakatable, you must pay Zakat and it goes to the less privileged amongst us so you can lift them up.
“Islam is humanity centred. If the rich Muslims in this country can pay their Zakat to lift the poor within their localities, the issue of poverty would have been addressed in this country.”
“A lot of people don’t want to help because they are afraid of becoming poor after helping others,” he said.
