A former Dean of Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, Professor Afiz Oladosu has enjoined Muslim communities and organisations to put in place mechanisms that will discourage or reduce begging among Muslims across the country.
The Professor of Arabic and Islamic studies insisted that it is the duty of Muslim organisations, groups and societies to put some mechanisms in place to discourage a situation where some people take begging as a profession.
Oladosu made these declarations on Sunday in Ibadan during the 2023 delegates’ conference and inauguration of the new executive council of Political Awareness Group (PAG) led by Dr. Lukman Fasasi.
The event, which has “Creating a pathway for sustainable development: Muslims on call” as theme, was attended by a former Secretary to the Oyo State government, Alhaji Akin Olajide, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Soliu Adelabu, Baagi of Saki, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Adegoke, Professor Abideen Olaiya and members of the out-gone PAG executives led by Barrister Abdul-Waheed Olowonjaiye.
Oladosu, who was represented by the Head of Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Ibadan, Professor Ibrahim Usman advised Islamic organisations to ensure that every Muslim within their reach has a means of livelihood.
He added that this would go a long way in discouraging and reducing begging among the Muslims in the country.
According to him, “We have talked about the basic objectives of Islamic law, one of which tends to protect the future of unborn generations and in doing this, one of the things that Islam puts in place is the discouragement of begging as a profession.
“While begging in Islam is permitted when a Muslim is in crisis or facing a disaster, it is forbidden as a profession.
“This is because Prophet Muhammed (Peace be upon Him) was reported to have said in many of the traditions that Muslims should not ask people for things, rather they should go out and work.
“Again, Umar Ibn Kattab, the second caliphate was reported to have driven some Muslims out of the Mosque and told them that you cannot be saying that Allah should enrich us when you have stopped working. So, as Muslims you must go out and work.
“So, one of the responsibilities of our Muslim societies and communities today is to ensure that we put a mechanism in place that will discourage begging among Muslims so that every Muslim will be empowered to have a source of livelihood.
