Demystifying the Religionisation of Commercial Begging in Northern Nigeria: The Revival of Philanthropy among Muslims
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31436/ijrcs.v8i1.363Keywords:
Ṣadaqah, philanthropy, maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah, religionisation, commercialisation, begging, Northern NigeriaAbstract
This paper explores the concept of ṣadaqah (voluntary charity) in Islam, emphasising its role in encouraging Muslims to fulfil their social responsibility by providing financial assistance to the poor and needy. Ṣadaqah not only benefits the recipients, but also offers spiritual rewards to the giver from Allah (SWT). Just as zakāh (obligatory almsgiving), ṣadaqah strengthens social bonds and reduces economic disparities. In Northern Nigeria, the practice of ṣadaqah has been intertwined with the phenomenon of commercial begging, particularly among young students of Islam (Almajirai). This study critically examines the misassociation of commercial street begging with ṣadaqah, presenting an authentic Islamic perspective to promote genuine philanthropy among Muslims. Utilising qualitative research methodology, the study analyses data to highlight the potential of waqf (religious endowments) and zakāh as sustainable solutions to societal needs. It advocates for empowering the youth through education, entrepreneurship, and vocational training to reduce begging and foster peace and prosperity in the region. By addressing these issues, this paper aims to bridge the gap between religious teachings and contemporary challenges, offering practical solutions rooted in Islamic principles.
References
Abdulrahman, H. K. (2020, April 30). Begging bans in Nigeria: Why they're not fit for purpose. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/begging-bans-in-nigeria-why-theyre-not-fit-for-purpose-132900.
Adebayo, K. O., Fayehun, O., Falase, O. S., & Adedeji, I. A. (2014). Socio-economic context of begging among the elderly in Nigeria. The Nigerian Journal of Sociology and Anthropology, 12(1), 86-105.
Adedibu, A. A., & Jelili, M. O. (2011). Package for controlling street begging and rehabilitating beggars and the physically challenged in Nigeria: Paper for policy consideration. Global Journal of human social science, 11(1), 17-24.
Ahmed, B. A. (2020). An examination of the causes and effects of begging in Kano State, Nigeria [unpublished MA dissertation].
Ahmed, H. (2004). Role of zakāh and awqaf in poverty alleviation. Jeddah: Islamic Development Bank, Islamic Research and Training Institute.
Aliyu, S. S. (2024). Exploring alternative approaches to addressing multidimensional poverty in Northern Nigeria. Middle East Research Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 4(5), 142-149. doi: 10.36348/merjhss.2024.v04i05.001.
Dansabo, M. T., Dabai, U. I. (2024). The impact of poverty on Northern Nigeria’s development: A comprehensive analysis. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 8(8), 838-849. doi: 10.47772/ijriss.2024.808065.
Esposito, J. L., & Shahin, E. E. D. (Eds.). (2013). The Oxford handbook of Islâm and politics. Oxford University Press.
Fatai, A. O., Rasheed, T. O., Abdulrahman, S. O., & Kunnu, O. H. (2020). Security and socio-economic consequences of street begging in Nigerian cities. International Journal of Humanities and Security Studies, 5 (1), 19-31.
Gloria, O. E., & Samuel, A. (2012). The prevalence of street begging in Nigeria and the counseling intervention strategies. Rev. Eur. Stud., 4(77).
Gumel, G. B., Saad, N. MD., & Kassim, S. HJ. (2014). Assessing the impact of Islamic microfinance on poverty alleviation in Northern Nigeria. Journal of Islamic Economics, Banking and Finance, 10(4). doi: 10.12816/0029040.
Hassan, R., & Ibrahim, M. A. (2020). Social Entrepreneurship as a Panacea for Street Begging in Kano Metropolis. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/347688001_Social_Entrepreneurship_as_a_Panacea_for_Street_Begging_in_Kano_Metropolis
Makama, F. T., Waziri, P. M., Mustapha, A. D. A., Gezawa, A., Umukoro, E., Boyle, N., & Abdullah, S. S. B. S. (n.d.). Research Proposal: Exploring the Maternal Factors and Their Effects Associated with Child Begging in Northern Nigeria.
Oluwole, T. A. (2016). A critical analysis of the causes and implications of street begging among People Living with Disabilities in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria. International Journal of Advanced Research in Social Sciences, Environmental Studies & Technology, 2(1).
Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Baz. Majmu' Fatawa Ibn Baz, Vol. 14.
Siddiqui, S. (2022). Muslim philanthropy: Living beyond a Western definition. Voluntary Sector Review, 1-17.
UNDP Nigeria. (n.d.). Human Development Indices and Indicators. Retrieved from http://hdr.undp.org/en/countries/profiles/NGA.
Yakubu, A. (2019). Old age vulnerability and formal social protection in Nigeria: The need for renewed focus on prospects of informal social protection. International Journal of Applied Research in Social Sciences, 1(4), 138-158.
Yared, T. (2023). Layers of traditions: Politics of memory and polarisation in contemporary Ethiopia. Institute for Security Studies Monographs, 2023(210), 19-60.
Yusuf, A. A., Ibrahim, A. A., & Hassan, A. A. (2019). Curbing street begging in Northern Nigeria: The role of education and public awareness campaigns. Journal of Peace, Conflict, and Development, 24, 85-101. https://www.bradford.ac.uk/social-sciences/peace-conflict-development/jpcd/.
Yusuf, S. A. (2017). The phenomenon of begging in Nigeria: The case of Kano metropolis. UMYU Journal of Microfinance and Development Studies, 2(1), 125-142.
