Muslims perform Zakatul Fitr amidst rising food prices

 

‘Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja

 

Daily Courier – Ahead of Eid-el- Fitr celebrations, Muslims across the country have rue the rising prices of foodstuff, especially as they performed the compulsory Zakatul Fitr.

Eid-el- Fitr is the marking of the end of Muslims fast (Ramadan). The day is usually dependent on sighting of the moon by appropriate authorities.

In the same vein, fasting Muslims are mandatorily expected to pay Zakatul Fitr in the last few days of Ramadan, using grains or any other raw food materials in their localities.

Mallam Abdulhameed Muhammed of the Kubwa mosque while speaking to Daily Courier said, “Prophet Mohammed (SAWS) made Zakatul fitr compulsory so that those who fasted may be purified of their idle deeds and shameful talk committed during Ramadan, and so that the poor may be fed.

“Whoever pays Zakatul Fitr before Sallah day will have it accepted as zakat, while he who gives it after the Sallah has given sadaqat, according to one of the sayings of Prophet Mohammed (SAWS).

Another cleric Munir said the practice of Zakatul Fitr plays an indispensable role in the circulation of wealth within the Islamic society and in redistricting income between the haves and have nots.

He said,” The rich are obliged to come in direct contact with the poor, and the poor are put in contact with the extremely poor. This contact between the various levels of society helps to build real bonds of brotherhood and love within the Islamic community, and trains those who have, to be generous to those who do not have.

“Hence, the goal of Zakatul Fitr is the spiritual development of the believers. By making them give up some of their wealth, the believers are taught the higher moral characteristics of generosity, compassion, gratitude to God and righteousness,” he added.

Hajia Aisha rues the escalating prices of food stuffs across the major markets in the FCT. She said, sellers have hiked the prices of meat, staples, beverages, fruits and vegetables which constitutes the bulk of the food used to perform the compulsory Zakatul Fitr

At the Wuse market in Abuja, sellers attributed the hike in the prices of food items and other commodities to the high cost of transportation and problem of insecurity in some parts of the country.

The situation is the same at the Kubwa and Kado markets.