The National Coordinator of Da'wah Front of Nigeria, Alhaji Musliudeen Gafar has described the distribution of Zakaat, the third pillar of Islam, to eligible recipients, by the organization, as 'Islam in Action.'

Alhaji Gafar, during the 2022 Zakaat distribution exercise by the Da'wah Front of Nigeria, Abeokuta Branch, at the Egba Central Mosque, Kobiti, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, said the exercise was a demonstration of contents of Islam literatures and the command of Allah.

Da'wah Front, had, during the event, distributed Zakaat to worthy Muslims within Abeokuta chapter of the organisation.

Represented by the Deputy National Coordinator, Professor Sheriff Adewuyi, Alhaji Gafar explained that the exercise was structured in a way that the beneficiaries are limited to the immediate chapter before considering others.

He explained that since the approval by the National body of the organisation, Abeokuta branch has distributed the Zakaat on three occasions, appealing to all members to ensure continuity of the programme.

- One of the beneficiaries with power generating set

He also hinted that the organisation will continue to monitor the progress of the beneficiaries for the next six months.

"To the beneficiaries, I appeal to you to make judicious use of the Zakaat, we will continue to monitor you for the next six months, because the essence of it is for you to be successful in your trades so that you can also begin to pay Zakaat in the nearest future," he said.

In his sermon titled 'The concept of Zakaat, Sodaqah and economic empowerment', Professor Sharafdeen AbdulKareem explained that Zakaat was institutionalised to purify the wealth of the Rich and distribute wealth amongst the Poor.

Reading from Qur'an 9 verses 103 - 104, the Don explained that the institution of Zakaat was aimed at making better Muslims of both the giver and the collector, adding further that the Zakaat purifies both the owner of the wealth and the wealth itself.

Going into details of how Zakaat is calculated, Professor AbdulKareem explained that a Muslim is required to pay 2.5% of his wealth within a year; adding further that 20% is payable on profits from Quarry, Bitumen, and other similar businesses after deductions of expenses within the year.

On agricultural produce, the Don explained that 10% is payable on rain-fed agriculture; 5% after expenses on irrigation farming; and 7.5% on both irrigation and rain-fed agriculture.

He added that civil servants are also expected to pay Zakaat from their savings within the year.

In his welcome address, the Abeokuta Chapter Coordinator, Dr Samsudeen Ayanwale said Zakaat was institutionalised to take care of economic welfare of Muslims, adding that Zakaat is so important that it is mentioned almost alongside prayer.

"Allah prescribed what should be used to worship Him. It is important such that anytime Allah mentions Solat (prayer) in Qur'an, it is followed by Zakaat.

"Allah takes cognisance of the welfare of the Muslims and I am happy we are contributing out own quota in Da'wah Front of Nigeria. I am hopeful that the other people will benefit in the future.

"And to the beneficiaries, maximise this benefit so that by next year, you will also be amongst the people paying Zakaat. The essence is to take care of the economic need of the Muslims."

Highlight of the event was the distribution of the Zakaat items, ranging from freezers, generators, industrial sewing machines, printing machines, etc, to the beneficiaries.

While a beneficiary got cash gift to start up his preferred poultry business, others also got cash gifts for businesses supports while an old woman also got a shop and stocks for startup.

- Another beneficiary being presented with a freezer and packs of soft drinks