Thirsty in the ocean
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- Category: Philosofaith
- Written by M. U. Ndagi
- Hits: 1085
Media reports in recent weeks are full of stories that depict abject poverty that is further worsened by the lack of collective and individual commitment to reducing the socio-economic predicaments of most Nigerians. We read and hear about very unfortunate incidences that result from trivial issues such as the case in which a friend stabbed another over fifty naira. Our streets particularly in northern states of the country, are full of destitute. Widows and orphans are left uncared for, leaving them to survive at the mercy of ritualists and religious or political manipulators. Theft of incredible dimensions are on the increase. A man was recently trapped on a high-tension electricity pole along Damboa road in Maiduguri following the unexpected restoration of power as the suspect was attempting to steal from PHCN cable. The wave of armed robbery, too, is on the high side with brutality and maiming of victims being the latest fashion among robbers.
Poverty and joblessness, no doubt, account primarily for these socio-economic ills prevalent today in Nigeria. Our leaders appear to be benefiting from the unfortunate situation of endemic poverty and widespread unemployment in the land, which explains their unwillingness to reduce poverty and refusal to create jobs especially for the teaming population of Nigerian youths. Of course, if poverty is reduced and jobs are available for the unemployed, where else do we expect our “Excellencies”, “Distinguished” and “Honourable” political office holders to recruit thugs for achieving and sustaining their political ambitions?
The adverse socio-economic situation in Nigeria is most regrettable. Nigeria is an abundantly blessed country with profuse human and material resources. Nigeria has all it takes to be the greatest, or at least, one of the greatest countries in the world. There is no reason, if things were done with equity and justice, for any Nigerian including the unborn child to live in poverty. Even with the unequal and unjust acquisition or distribution of wealth among Nigerians, some are being listed among the fifty richest men in the world. In places where the wealthy cares for the haves-not, riches and blessings. But in Nigeria where it is a curse to be poor, riches lack meaning. Some Nigerian, today, are worth billions of dollars; yet, many sleep with hungry stomach. Many Nigerians, indeed, are thirsty in the ocean. We have this inexcusable situation because the rich among us have neglected the right of the poor as defined in the third cardinal principle of Islam, the Zakat.
Islam emphasizes on the relief of poverty by the rich through the payment of Zakat. Allah (SWT) states in Qur’an 51:19 “And in their wealth and possessions, the right (of the needy) who asked, and him who (for some reason) was prevented (from asking)”. The wealthy is not to consider his charity to the less-privileged as a favour; on the other hand, it is a duty placed on him by Islam to take part in the economic uplift of the poor through the prompt payment of Zakat. Allah (SWT in Qur’an 5:24 condemns those who amass wealth without spending it for charitable purposes. Let us decide now to spend for those in want before it is late. Allah (SWT) mentions in Qur’an 63:10 “And spend something (in charity) out of the sustenance which we have bestowed on you, before death should come to any of you, and he would say ‘O my lord! Why did thou not give me a respite for a little while, I should then have given (largely) in charity, and I should be one of the doers of good”.
This column observes that if all the rich people of Nigeria were to give the poor and the needy what is actually due to them from their wealth, the level of poverty in the country is not likely to be as high as we find it today. We find it relevant here to ask about whether or not the Zakat Commissions in “shari’ah-compliant” states are serving the purposes for which they were established. The rate at which poverty is prevalent especially in the “shar’iah-compliant” states does not reflect a society in which Zakat is practically and genuinely administered. Many of these Zakat Commissions in the states they exist are no more than mere window-dressing outfits created by governors to earn the sympathy of Muslims in their respective states.
Some of the problems associated with the management of Zakat include the fact that it does not get to the real people identified in Qur’an 9:60. Some well-to-do prefer to give such to recipients who would give the act (of charity) wider publicity. In Islam, it is better to seek no publicity in the act of charity. The harm of publicity naturally lies in the motives of ostentation. We can reach the really deserving poor by quietly seeking for them. Zakat and charity are meant to help and do good to people who need such. Like mercy, it blesses him that gives and him that takes. Allah (SWT) states in Qur’an 2:271 “If ye disclose (acts of) charity even so it is well, but if ye conceal them and make them reach those (really) in need, that is best for you: It will remove from you some of your (stains of ) evil. And God is well acquainted with what ye do”.
While we urge the rich to promptly and adequately give what is due from their wealth as Zakat to deserving recipients, we call on government to take concrete measures that would reduce poverty and unemployment in the country. Unless this is done, many Nigerians would not only die of thirst in the deepest of oceans but would starve to death where food is glaringly in abundance. May Allah (SWT) guide us to fulfill all religious obligations without becoming stooges to our intrinsic tendencies, amin.
Articles
Thirsty in the ocean
Category: Philosofaith Written by M. U. Ndagi Hits: 1085
Media reports in recent weeks are full of stories that depict abject poverty that is further worsened by the lack of collective and individual commitment to reducing the socio-economic predicaments of most Nigerians. We read and hear about very unfortunate incidences that result from trivial issues such as the case in which a friend stabbed another over fifty naira. Our streets particularly in northern states of the country, are full of destitute. Widows and orphans are left uncared for, leaving them to survive at the mercy of ritualists and religious or political manipulators. Theft of incredible dimensions are on the increase. A man was recently trapped on a high-tension electricity pole along Damboa road in Maiduguri following the unexpected restoration of power as the suspect was attempting to steal from PHCN cable. The wave of armed robbery, too, is on the high side with brutality and maiming of victims being the latest fashion among robbers.
Poverty and joblessness, no doubt, account primarily for these socio-economic ills prevalent today in Nigeria. Our leaders appear to be benefiting from the unfortunate situation of endemic poverty and widespread unemployment in the land, which explains their unwillingness to reduce poverty and refusal to create jobs especially for the teaming population of Nigerian youths. Of course, if poverty is reduced and jobs are available for the unemployed, where else do we expect our “Excellencies”, “Distinguished” and “Honourable” political office holders to recruit thugs for achieving and sustaining their political ambitions?
The adverse socio-economic situation in Nigeria is most regrettable. Nigeria is an abundantly blessed country with profuse human and material resources. Nigeria has all it takes to be the greatest, or at least, one of the greatest countries in the world. There is no reason, if things were done with equity and justice, for any Nigerian including the unborn child to live in poverty. Even with the unequal and unjust acquisition or distribution of wealth among Nigerians, some are being listed among the fifty richest men in the world. In places where the wealthy cares for the haves-not, riches and blessings. But in Nigeria where it is a curse to be poor, riches lack meaning. Some Nigerian, today, are worth billions of dollars; yet, many sleep with hungry stomach. Many Nigerians, indeed, are thirsty in the ocean. We have this inexcusable situation because the rich among us have neglected the right of the poor as defined in the third cardinal principle of Islam, the Zakat.
Islam emphasizes on the relief of poverty by the rich through the payment of Zakat. Allah (SWT) states in Qur’an 51:19 “And in their wealth and possessions, the right (of the needy) who asked, and him who (for some reason) was prevented (from asking)”. The wealthy is not to consider his charity to the less-privileged as a favour; on the other hand, it is a duty placed on him by Islam to take part in the economic uplift of the poor through the prompt payment of Zakat. Allah (SWT in Qur’an 5:24 condemns those who amass wealth without spending it for charitable purposes. Let us decide now to spend for those in want before it is late. Allah (SWT) mentions in Qur’an 63:10 “And spend something (in charity) out of the sustenance which we have bestowed on you, before death should come to any of you, and he would say ‘O my lord! Why did thou not give me a respite for a little while, I should then have given (largely) in charity, and I should be one of the doers of good”.
This column observes that if all the rich people of Nigeria were to give the poor and the needy what is actually due to them from their wealth, the level of poverty in the country is not likely to be as high as we find it today. We find it relevant here to ask about whether or not the Zakat Commissions in “shari’ah-compliant” states are serving the purposes for which they were established. The rate at which poverty is prevalent especially in the “shar’iah-compliant” states does not reflect a society in which Zakat is practically and genuinely administered. Many of these Zakat Commissions in the states they exist are no more than mere window-dressing outfits created by governors to earn the sympathy of Muslims in their respective states.
Some of the problems associated with the management of Zakat include the fact that it does not get to the real people identified in Qur’an 9:60. Some well-to-do prefer to give such to recipients who would give the act (of charity) wider publicity. In Islam, it is better to seek no publicity in the act of charity. The harm of publicity naturally lies in the motives of ostentation. We can reach the really deserving poor by quietly seeking for them. Zakat and charity are meant to help and do good to people who need such. Like mercy, it blesses him that gives and him that takes. Allah (SWT) states in Qur’an 2:271 “If ye disclose (acts of) charity even so it is well, but if ye conceal them and make them reach those (really) in need, that is best for you: It will remove from you some of your (stains of ) evil. And God is well acquainted with what ye do”.
While we urge the rich to promptly and adequately give what is due from their wealth as Zakat to deserving recipients, we call on government to take concrete measures that would reduce poverty and unemployment in the country. Unless this is done, many Nigerians would not only die of thirst in the deepest of oceans but would starve to death where food is glaringly in abundance. May Allah (SWT) guide us to fulfill all religious obligations without becoming stooges to our intrinsic tendencies, amin.