The Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society began the distribution of cash palliatives to its members nationwide on Monday to cushion the pains occasioned by the Coronavirus lockdown in the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos, Ogun and some other states.
The cash palliative is made through beneficiaries’ bank accounts to ensure that beneficiaries do not crow around the distribution venues.
It is the third distribution of such palliatives since President Muhammadu Buhari directed the lockdown on March 29, 2020.
In the first week of the lockdown, the society distributed raw and cooked foods to its members and to more than 100 residents of its headquarters neighbourhood of Asokoro Extension in Abuja.
Al-Habibiyyah Imam Fuad Adeyemi
In the second week, it similarly distributed food and cash to members and to a large number of people, but had a Herculean task of ensuring that beneficiaries observed the social distancing regime necessary to stave infection.
The society’s National Imam, Fuad Adeyemi, said in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday that the society resolved to limit itself to cash distribution in the third week of the lockdown as the number of beneficiaries increased astronomically and it was becoming tedious to make social distancing effective.
He explained that the regular distribution of palliatives at this period of limitation of movement and of businesses is in consonance with the teaching of the Holy Quran where it says in Quran 2:195 that “And spend in the way of Allah and do not throw yourselves with your own hands into destruction by refraining. And do good; indeed Allah loves the doers of good.’’
Imam Adeyemi also added that the society ceased all activities at its national headquarters and its other mosques nationwide ahead of the presidential order to protect its members and neighbours.
He noted also that Al-Habibiyyah’s efforts were backed by Allah’s directive in Quran 2:272 when He told His prophet that “Not upon you, O Mohammed, is responsibility for their guidance, but Allah guides whom He wills. And whatever good you believers spend is for yourselves, and you do not spend except seeking the countenance of Allah. And whatever you spend of good – it will be fully repaid, and you will not be wronged.’’
Imam Adeyemi enjoined all Nigerians to play their parts fully to bring an end to the contagion while not forgetting to reach out to the needy to ensure that the pains of the lockdown are brought to the barest minimum.
The Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society is an Islamic think-thank whose areas of activities cut across education, Islamic and Western, mosque projects as well as other Islamic activities aimed at creating genuine leadership for Muslims.
It operates a Food Bank, which feeds hundreds of thousands of all faithful , Muslims and non-Muslims during Islamic Ramadan month of fasting, just as it gives Zakat (assistance) annually to the needy as commanded by Almighty Allah.
It also campaigns vigorously against corruption with active support of the MacArthur Foundation.
