Allocation Of Zakat To Debtors In Lagos State, Nigeria: Assessing A Neglected Category Of Recipients
Keywords:
Zakᾱt Administration, Contemporary society, Beneficiaries, Ghᾱrimun, Poverty AlleviationAbstract
Zakᾱt as a social safety net is divinely recommended to relieve different categories of vulnerable members of the society based on their predicament at specific time. These beneficiaries often times, are over shadowed by the Fuqarᾱu (Poor) and the Masᾱkin (Needy) such that it is unclear if other asnaf are considered for zakat benefit. On the assumption that Debtors (Ghᾱrimŭn) are often neglected from zakat benefit during disbursement, this study aimed at determining relevance of debtors as zakat beneficiaries in the contemporary context. The study investigated whether or not debtors are neglected from zakat benefit in Lagos state. It is a descriptive research design with analytical approach. Both primary and secondary data sourced from zakat reports and literature were analysed. In addition, zakat administrators were interviewed on administrative style and governance policy regarding allocation of zakat to debtors. Findings show that debtors were not neglected as generally believed. It was however, discovered that zakat allocation to debtors was low while debtor beneficiaries were found to be extremely few when compared with other categories of beneficiaries. It was recommended that zakat administrators should embark on upward review of zakat allocation to debtors while still maintaining strict adherence to the provisions of shari’ah in their administration. This research will shape governance policy on zakat administration as it affect allocation to debtors and modulate disposition of potential zakat beneficiaries among debtors.
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Prince Sulaiman Olagunju, the Executive Director of Zakᾱt and Sadaqat Foundation in Lagos, March 19, 2023
Mr Abdul Razzaq Abdul Azeez, Executive Secretary, Muslim Zakawat and Sadaqaat Foundation in Lagos, March 19, 2023.
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Alhaji Abdul Fatai Olajide, Secretary Da’wah Committee, Lekki Muslim Ummah, Lagos, April 23, 2023.
