Ibadan: An Islamic organisation, The Rightly Guided Foundation, has donated N39million as Zakat to 140 less privileged Muslims in Ibadan.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Zakat is the third pillar of Islam, compulsory for Muslims with wealth above a certain threshold to donate 2.5 per cent of their wealth annually to the needy.
The Ameer of the Foundation, Malam Ibrahim Bello, stated that the foundation, established in 2019 to address the challenges faced by Muslims, had positively impacted the lives of Muslim faithful, especially during Ramadan. The foundation, in collaboration with The Merciful Foundation in Houston, Texas, USA, has been assisting Muslim students with WAEC and JAMB registration forms, distributing food and cash to the less privileged, and feeding prison inmates.
Bello explained that the foundation began Zakat distribution in 2025 with N10million, and the amount has increased to N39million in 2026. He emphasized the foundation’s commitment to trust and its dedication to sharing Zakat donations with Muslims in need to help reduce poverty in society.
Prof. Moruf Oke, Secretary of the foundation, informed that 140 needy Muslims would benefit from the N39million Zakat distribution. Beneficiaries would receive amounts ranging from N150,000 to N3 million based on their needs, determined through interactions with the selected individuals to help their businesses grow and thrive.
In a lecture, cleric Malam Rasheed Musa commended the foundation for its initiative and urged Muslims to fear God, obey His commandments, and remain steadfast despite challenges. He highlighted that Zakat serves to purify wealth and reduce poverty, calling on wealthy Muslims to fulfill this obligation for divine rewards.
Alhaji Ismaila Saka, Oyo State Chairman of the Muslim Lawyers’ Association (MULAN), noted that poverty would significantly decrease if more wealthy Muslims paid Zakat. He encouraged beneficiaries to use the funds wisely to establish or strengthen their businesses, which would benefit the wider community.
Malam Abdul Ganiy Abubakar, speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude to the foundation for their generosity and pledged to use the funds judiciously.