The Abuja Muslim Forum (AMF) has distributed its first zakat in the territory,Daily Trust reports.
Mallam Ibrahim Idris, Coordinating Secretary of AMF, explained the approach taken in disbursing the zakat. He noted that instead of simply gathering the poor and distributing the money, the organization followed a different method by allocating the funds according to the eight categories outlined in Islamic teachings.
“We divided the money as Allah prescribed, into eight categories,” Idris stated. “One category is the poor, another is the needy. The Glorious Qur’an distinguishes between the masakin (poor) and fakir (needy). Another category includes those responsible for collecting and distributing zakat; Allah instructs us to give them their due, even if they are wealthy. Additionally, we have those whose hearts have turned to Islam—new converts and reverts.
“Other categories include fisabilillah (those striving in the cause of Allah, such as in Islamic propagation), those in debt who cannot repay, prisoners or those in bondage, and wayfarers who are stranded on their journeys. We divided the funds equally among these eight categories,” he explained.
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Idris further mentioned that N88,000 was allocated to each category. For the needy, the poor, and those in debt, the forum identified 13 indigent AMF members and distributed N20,000 to each of them. The share designated for wayfarers was entrusted to the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) at the Mabushi Branch, with instructions to assist those stranded. They were also provided with a logbook to record the beneficiaries until the N88,000 is fully utilized.
Alhaji Abdulrasaq Ajani, the Ameer (leader) of AMF, emphasized that the forum’s decision was aimed at ensuring justice in the distribution of zakat.
Alhaji Lukman Amoo, a former Ameer of AMF and current Chairman of the Zakat Team, stressed the importance of the wealthy supporting the needy. He also noted that while zakat is essential, it alone cannot eradicate poverty without the implementation of broader empowerment measures.
