Muslims in Nigeria have been urged to promote the principle of social justice in the country.
The Nasru-lahi-I-fatih society (NASFAT) gave the advice in commemoration of the World Social Justice Day held in Warri, Delta State.
The Chief Missioner of the society, Imam Abdul-Azeez Onike said that, setting aside a day to commemorate the day is good but it is better to move it beyond revolutionary slogan status.
“In practical terms, there should be clear indications of efforts and commitment to bridge the existing current inequalities in the world, which should reflect in human rights, dignity and freedom of expression for workers.
“It should also extend to economic, social and political autonomy and ensuring that, every human being is provided and supplied with basic needs in a way that preserves his honour and dignity, as it is enjoined in the scripture”
He noted that Islam has laid down rules and foundations to regulate relationship among all individuals of the society, among these foundations is that of social justice.
According to him, Islam is about justice, mercy, goodness and wisdom. Onike said that it is the duty of the rich to provide the needs of the poor and destitute of their community. “State has the right to take their surplus of wealth, if necessary by force to meet the needs of the poor in their community”.
He added that Islam frowns upon any act of discrimination, exploitation, injustice and degradation of human dignity.
While buttressing his point on significant of social justice in Islamic community, he recalled that one of the prominent figures in the history of Islam is Bilal, a black Ethiopian who played an all important role of serving as a caller to prayer to Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh). This underscores the fact that, there should be equal and fair treatment with no discrimination in our dealings.
The Missioner, mentioned some social justice tools and elements in Islam. Which he said they are: Zakat and Sadaqah, laws of inheritance and bequest, monetary atonement, prohibition of Usury, hoarding, illegal acquisition of wealth, short-weighing, encouragement of fair treatment of women and girls, orphan, widow and underserved; Various means of getting slave freed and Allah’s command that labourers wages must be paid before his sweat dries.
