Inclusive Application of Zakah and its Implication to Social Harmony in Nigeria

Nasir Muhammad Abdulhameed Department of Religion and Philosophy University of Jos, Nigeria Email: abdulhameedm@unijos.edu.ng nmuham48@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Zakah is prescribed as a means of offering help to individuals in need of assistance, and to take care of people who need special help. It is collected in kind or cash and disbursed to categories of beneficiaries listed in the Qur’an. Al-Muallafatu Qulubhum (Persons of reconciled hearts) are the fourth category in the list beneficiaries stated in the Qur’an. This paper employed qualitative designed in analyzing the positive effects of direct disbursement of Zakah to non-Muslims under the category of al-Muallafatu Qulubhum in Nigeria. It aims at finding out how such direct disbursement in a multi-religious and multi-ethnic country like Nigeria can lead to social harmony. There is no objection in the Qur’an and Hadith to disbursement of Zakah directly to individuals in this group. However, spending their share on Da’wah and education services, as well as taking care of new converts does not have implicit scriptural support. Thus, direct disbursement of Zakah to non-Muslims in Nigeria can contribute to efforts of poverty alleviation and lead to establishment of social harmony. It can remove anger and result in positive change of conduct thereby minimizing the occurrence of violent crisis in Nigeria. Keywords: Zakah, Inclusive, Application, Implication, Nigeria, Social Harmony