Zakat: Severe Punishment Awaits Defaulters, Grand Khadi Warns
Justice AbdulLateef Kamaldeen, the grand Khadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal in Ilorin, has denounced the rich Muslims’ indifference to the payment of zakat.
In accordance with the third pillar of Islam, zakat, the rich are required to set aside a certain amount of their money each year for the benefit of the underprivileged.
Muslims who are wealthy and materially well-off who fail to pay their zakat are subject to harsh punishment, according to Kamaldeen.
For those Muslims who are financially and materially endowed, the great Khadi made it clear that paying zakat is required and not voluntary in Islam.
In a speech during the annual Ramadan Tafsir, which was held in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, Kamaldeen issued the warning. He was speaking on behalf of the Majlis (Council) for Sadaqah, Zakat, and Waqf (alms/charity).
He expressed concern over the lack of zakat observance among many Muslims, which is meant to ensure the fair distribution of wealth among Muslims even though only a small amount of their material wealth will be distributed.
Among the people Kamalden mentioned as being eligible for zakat were orphans, the hungry, and those who are heavily indebted.
Prince AbdulLateef Fagbemi (SAN), who presided over the event, was represented by Abdulkadir Adelodun (SAN). He lamented the haphazard way that zakat funds were being dispersed in society and praised the Majlis for establishing an efficient system of zakat distribution.
Engr. Sa’ad Belgore, the coordinator of the Zakat Council, revealed that in December 2022, the council had empowered a total of 128 people through its zakat program. He claimed that the purpose of organizing the program was to educate more Muslims about the importance of paying zakat.
