The Grand Khadi of Kwara state Sharia Court of Appeal, Justice Abdulateef Kamaldeen, has warned that there is severe consequences for wealthy and materially endowed Muslims who default in the payment of zakat.

He also warned that Islam recommends severe punishment for those who proclaims that zakat is not compulsory in Islam.

The grand khadi clarified that the zakat payment in Islam is mandatory for those who are wealthy and materially endowed and it is not optional.

Kamalden handed down the warning in a lecture he delivered at the annual tafsir organised by Majlis (Council) for Sadaqah, zakat and waqf (alms /charity), Kwara state held in Ilorin, Saturday.

He expressed concern that zakat, the third pillar of Islam is meant to ensure even distribution of wealth amongst Muslim it is not being respected by many despite that only a fraction of their wealth and materials will be distributed.

Kamalden listed those entitled to receive zakat to include orphans, the poor who have nothing to feed on, those highly indebted, among others.

Chairman of the occasion, Prince Abdulateef Fagbemi (SAN), represented by Abdulkadir Adelodun (SAN), decried the haphazard manner in which zakat are being distributed in the society, commending the Majlis for adopting effective administration of its distribution.

Sa’ ad Belgore who said that the essence of organising the programme was to sensitise more Muslims on the need to pay zakat, added that the Majlis had in December 2022, empowered a total of 128 persons through its zakat programme.