BY ADERONKE ADEYERI

Muslim faithful have been urged to always remember their obligation of  paying Zakat being the third pillar of Islam and a means for economic empowerment.

The Operation Manager, Nasfat Agency for Zakat and Sadaqat, NAZAS, Ustazh Moshood Kolawole gave this charge during the quarterly zonal conference organized by District 3, Lagos Zone 1 in Mende, Maryland Lagos, recently.

Kolawolwe who was the guest lecturer at the Nasfat Lagos Zone One 3rd Quarter Zonal conference, during his lecture titled “Zakat According to the Qur’an and Sunna” emphasized that just as observing the five daily salat, Zakaat as the third pillar of Islam is as important as other pillars of Islam.

Kolawole pointed out that Zakat is not only a good means of measuring the economic power of the people but also a means of empowerment and bridging the socio-economic gap between the rich and poor in the society.

“For a Muslim to pay an acceptable Zakat to Almighty Allah, he should consider it as the only reason he or she is working and being alive is to pay Zakat. This is one of the teachings of Prophet Mohammed (s.a,w).
According to him, “Even as zakaat purifies wealth, paying zakat from any ungodly or evil means is not acceptable to Almighty Allah.”

The chairman of the Zone, Alhaji Taofeeq Adeseun in his address stated that in order encourage the payment of Zakat, Nasfat has set up an agency, Nazas with the sole responsibility of creating more awareness on Zakat.

The chairman of Maryland branch, Alh. R.O Kuranga whom was humbly represented by Alh. Taofeeq Hassan during the welcome address enjoined all executive members of the zone to enlighten and put in place measures that will safeguard the lives of all Muslims against Ebola and other diseases.