DISABILITY AND ISLAMIC SPIRITUAL PRACTISE: A STUDY OF MUSLIM PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITIES FOR THE DISABLED IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Indeed, there are links between Islam, philanthropy and disability. This is because aids and social
support are core to religion. However, there is the problem of the extent to which Muslims with
disabilities (MWDs) have received help in carrying out their spiritual and social activities in
Nigeria. Previous studies have shown that many of them face stigma, discrimination, violence, and
lack of access to healthcare, housing and education. The present study assesses the amount of
support Muslim individuals and organizations in Nigeria give to Muslims with disabilities
(MWDs). Through descriptive and historical approaches, among the contributions of the present
work to the discourse is its attempt to present the risk often encountered by Muslims with
disabilities due to increased exposure and vulnerability to poverty. This paper suggests that the
concepts of Zakat, Sadaqah, and Waqf should be applied strategically by the Muslim communities
to address the welfare of the disabled in the country. It also recommends that philanthropic
responsibilities toward the Muslim disabled community should not be haphazard or half-hearted
because Islam enjoins that Muslims should fulfill their duties as helpers and should do so to the
best of their abilities.

Keywords: Islam; philanthropy; disability; Muslim with disabilities (MWDs); Nigeria.