Opportunity to change our narratives – Daily Trust

Year-in year-out, our critical national challenges have refused to fade out. This is in spite of the prayers we have continued to offer, collectively and individually. This simply suggests that something is wrong either with our selves or with the prayers we offer. The first supposition which seeks to search our conscience sounds more plausible. Corruption has refused to leave us. Bad governance has since become a hallmark of political leadership in Nigeria. In spite of the abundant natural wealth which Allah has blessed Nigeria with, its regrettable that majority of citizens still languish in abject poverty. Allah affirms in Qur’an 13:11 that, “Verily, never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (with their own souls) …” Our challenges have continued to remain with us because we have refused to change for the better.

To offer ourselves in submission to the above verse of the Qur’an, let us take advantage of the beginning of this new Hijrah year to make very strong resolutions that should include renouncing corruption, injustice, hypocrisy, rumour mongering and all other actions that are tantamount to dishonesty, betrayal, hatred, malice, bigotry, intolerance, envy, impatience, ingratitude, arrogance and pride. 1447AH offers us with another opportunity to change our narratives and regain our lost glory.

Zakat is one of the five fundamental principles of Islam and therefore obligatory on Muslims (male or female, adult or minor) whose wealth of crops, livestock or cash reaches an amount that attracts Zakkat, which is called Nisab in Islamic literature. The institution of Zakat in Islam guarantees, among other socio-economic benefits, even distribution of wealth among members of the society. We thus encourage those who qualify to give it to do so with the fear of Allah (SWT).

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The beginning of a new Hijrah year marks the beginning of a new fiscal year in Islam. It is therefore important for us to get acquainted with figures worked for monetary Zakkat for the year 1447AH. The rate for the payment of Zakat on wealth, the figures released recently by the Society for the Propagation of Islam (in Nigeria), indicate that the minimum taxable amount of money (Nisab) upon which two and a half percent is payable as Zakat in the year 1447AH (based on the current exchange rate of the Nigerian currency Naira to the US dollar) is put at N10,804,865.4k.

Nisab is usually the current value or amount of money in naira that can buy 20 pieces of dinar (gold). The minimum amount of money payable as minimum dowry (Sadaq) as well as the least value of a stolen property that can attract amputation of hand (called Hadd in Islamic jurisprudence) is now put at N135, 218.97k, which is usually the current value or amount of money in naira that can buy one quarter of a dinar (Rub’u Dinar).

The sum of N540,236,942.00k is the blood-money (Diyyah) payable for manslaughter. Diyyah is usually the current value or amount of money in naira that can buy 1,000 Dinar. Nonetheless, the value of Nisab, Sadaq and Hadd mentioned above in naira are all relative because the amounts are determined by the prevailing price of Dinar as well as the exchange rate of local currency, the naira, at the time of Zakat or payment for Diyyah.

Every Hijrah year brings us closer to our graves even though the pursuit of the comforts of this life prevents many of us from realizing this singular truth. O Allah! Accept our repentances and forgive our acts of unrighteousness; grant  us the ability and the capacity to good at all times and in all places. Let our happiest moment be the moment we meet you. Give us refuge against all evils. May Allah (SWT) grant our leaders the wisdom and piety to kill corruption permanently; dislodge insurgency forever, and strategically tackle poverty, unemployment, disease and insecurity, amin. Happy New Hijrah Year!

Fasting on Tasu’ah and Ashura:

The Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) exhorts the observance of voluntary fast on the 9th (Tasu’ah) and 10th (Ashura) days of the first month, Muharram, in the Hijrah calendar. The six authentic compilers of hadith all relate on the authority of Ibn Abbas (RA) that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) fasted on Ashura day (10th of Muharram) and he instructed believers to observe voluntary fast on that day. Further on Ashura (10th of Muharram), Abi Qatadah (RA) reports that the Prophet (SAW) said, “It vitiates for (the sins of) the previous year”. About observing voluntary fast on Tasu’ah (9th of Muharram), Imam Muslim (RA) relates on the authority of Ibn Abbas (RA) that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “If I am alive till next year, I will surely observe voluntary fast on Tasu’ah (day).” Friday July 4, 2025 and Saturday July 5, 2025 would, insha Allah be Tasu’ah and Ashurah days. While we encourage Muslims who have the physical strength to observe this Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW), we pray that Allah accepts it from those who are able to do so, amin.