In a recent address at the eighth Merit Awards of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria’s Kaduna branch, Islamic scholar Ustaz Muhammad Al-Badawiy highlighted the non-payment of compulsory charity, known as Zakat, by Muslims as a significant factor contributing to the current state of the economy. Al-Badawiy, who also serves as a lecturer at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), emphasized that if Muslims were to contribute 2.5 percent of their annual earnings to charity, it would not only alleviate poverty but also stimulate economic growth.
Zakat, a fundamental tenet of Islam, involves giving a portion of one’s wealth to those in need. Al-Badawiy stressed that its purpose extends beyond poverty alleviation; it aims to eradicate poverty entirely. He cited a prophetic saying that warns against failing to fulfill promises and links it to the emergence of poor leadership. According to him, when individuals neglect their obligation to give to charity, they fail to see value in their financial resources, ultimately damaging the economy. Al-Badawiy also voiced concern over a perceived normalization of adultery in society, suggesting that such moral decay can contribute to societal deterioration.
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Al-Badawiy called upon Islamic preachers to use their platforms in mosques to advocate for the importance of charity and its role in addressing societal issues.
Chairman of Ansar-ud-Deen, Alhaji Saburi Adeyemi, explained that the ceremony aimed to recognize the contributions of both members and non-members to the development of the society and the propagation of Islam. He emphasized the need for support from affluent Muslims to sustain the society’s programs, including education, reformation, propagation, and defense of Islam.
Governor Uba Sani, represented by Dr. Yusuf Yakub Arrigasiyyu, the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Pilgrims Agency, pledged support for the society’s efforts in promoting Islam in the state.
The occasion’s chairman, Mr. Amao Ademola Abideen, underscored the significance of contributing to Ansar-Ud-Deen, highlighting its positive impact on Muslim children’s education, the empowerment of the less privileged, and the advancement of Daawah.
The event concluded with the presentation of excellence awards to outstanding Muslims, including Assistant Inspector-General of Police AIG Yekini Ayoku, former General Officer Commanding (G.O.C.) 1 Division Nigerian Army Maj.-Gen. Kamaldeen Role (rtd), the wife of the former Osun State Chief Press Secretary, Hajia Hadrat Onolola Omipidan, and Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Dr. Yusuf Yakub Arrigasiyyu.
