THE IMPACT OF ZAKAT ON CRIME PREVENTION IN NIGERIA BY YASIR YAQUB ALHASSAN

THE IMPACT OF ZAKAT ON CRIME PREVENTION IN NIGERIA

BY

YASIR YAQUB ALHASSAN

Department of Sociology (Criminology and Security Studies),Faculty of arts and social science, Federal University Dutse, Ibrahim Aliyu Bye-Pass P.M.B. 7156, Jigawa State, Nigeria.

Study Background

It is a popular and well-known idea that people are the products of their environments. Poverty is viewed by many writers as the cause of crime especially in the urban populated societies. Such statements are directly implying that poverty is the environmental economic stratification symbol and crime is the individual's reaction to deficiency of the symbol. The wide question to answer is whether people behaviour are the consequences of their economic perceptions of survivals our alternatives of survival. It is pertinent to examine whether social aspect of lacking resources is a factor of public criminal behavior. It is not just a question of environment, but the bountifulness of that environment, the fairness and economy of that environment. Every community is depending on the culture, civil and religious provision entitlement and approvals for life sustainability. Zakat is one system of income redistribution in Islamic societies. The bridge of poverty and class is a priority for social solidarity. (Alhassan, 2004). Assabiya is a popular concept in Islamic Sociology, which was introduced in the 14^th century by Abdurrahman Ibn Khaldum and translated in 18^th century by Emile Durkheim to mean social solidarity. It’s a bond that creates cohesion, cooperation and harmony for ascertaining peace and conformity among persons of the Islamic societies. This paper elaborates on the relationship between Zakat and crime prevention in Nigeria.

Statement of the Problem

Due to the current state of unemployment in the country, the tendency of criminality is made worse as many people; particularly youth and university graduates have failed to secure gainful employment. The society is faced with a community of debt-ridden, incomplete education amongst children and the distress of the society. In Islam, poverty is an enemy that must be eradicated and prevented in order to preserve the sanctity of the religion and to uphold the dignity of the Ummah. Poverty has adverse repercussions on mankind as it weakens the society. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has mentioned, “Hunger nearly leads to infidelity and all sorts of wrong doings”. Thus, Islam rejects all forms of poverty, in line with Allah's command that Zakat being the third pillar of Islam enables the obligation of His servant to share their wealth. Without a complete systematic institution of Zakat, our community will be disabled. As such, the collection of Zakat brings tremendous benefits to those who give and those who receive. Without a prompt operation of the Zakat system, the objectives of the redistributions may be affected. The effect of poverty has been related to the rise in crime among the individuals in a community related current cases of rape, kidnapping, and murder are facto rs predisposed by poverty.

Aim and Objectives

          i.          To examine the causes,  rate and nature of crime

         ii.         To assess the impact of Zakat on crime prevention

        iii.        To identify the challenges faced by the system of and to proffer possible solution to the system of Zakat.

 Methodology

The paper employs empirical and conceptual methods, using one hundred and ten respondents. Cluster and purposing sampling were used in generating the respondents and. The data were generated using questionnaire and in-depth interview guide (mixed method). Data analysis was concluded using triangulation of both quantitative and qualitative method.

Findings

The results showed that poverty, unemployment, drug/substance abuse, poor socialization, lack of central committee that will regulate the system of Zakat is one of the major causes of crime. The paper emphasize that if wealthy people are giving out Zakat, there will beimmence reduction in crime, a Provision of employment opportunities, control of drugs/substance usage, provision of educational opportunities, proper law abiding, proper socialization, all recommended as measures to prevent and control crime.

With regards to the findings, the paper, therefore, established the fact that the role played by impact of Zakat in crime prevention cannot be over-emphasized as earlier mentioned in methodology.  The contributions of the payment of Zakat would lead to the redistribution of income, eliminates poverty and reduces crime rate. It is a unique measure that introduce by Islam with a view to abolish poverty and prevent crime by making it social obligation on the rich. There are some other factors that hinder the progress of the impact of Zakat in crime prevention.

Conclusion

Zakat is a transfer of wealth from the rich to the poor or from the haves to the have-nots. The underlying assumption here is that all the wealth on earth belongs to God and men are just trustees with whom God has entrusted His wealth for the sole purpose of preserving it for the prosperity of all humanity. No one, therefore, should be denied fair access to this wealth. In the context of Islamic teachings of social justice and equality, Zakat is considered as a purification of wealth and a cause of blessing. As such, it is perceived by all Muslims as an entitlement or a guaranteed right to the poor on the wealth of the rich, by comparing this attitude of support for Zakat institution in Muslim communities with earlier laws provided for the poor in the nineteenth century, which has developed to what is today known as means-tested social assistance programs, provision of the needs of the poor is considered. Unlike Zakat which is well received and was purely oriented toward achieving socioeconomic balance, social assistance programs usually faced public resentment and are associated with a stigma, and were most often influenced by economic and political rather than social reasons (Shionoya, 1998).

. RECOMMENDATIONS

At the end of this work, the paper recommends the following:

1.      Traditional and religious Leaders should establish committees for the collection, distribution and monitoring of Zakat affairs.

2.      People should use Zakat funds in doing things that will eradicate poverty and reduce criminality.

3.      Muslim Ummah should fear Allah by giving out Zakat as one of the pillars of Islam.

4.      Distribution of Zakat should be based on the beneficiaries listed in (Q9:60).

5.      Muslim leaders should force and ensure that the rich people are giving out Zakat accordingly.

6.      Criminals that are convicted or prosecuted should be supported with Zakat so as to discourage the criminal recalls.