* As UK charity partners with The Companion to support vulnerable families
In the spirit of compassion, mercy and service to humanity exemplified by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Muhammad Mahmoud, has led a humanitarian food distribution programme in Nigeria, providing much-needed relief to vulnerable families ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.
The initiative, organised in partnership with The Companion, an association of Muslim men in business and the professions, was carried out under the auspices of the Prophetic Path and Dabbagh Welfare Trust, an international humanitarian organisation with operations in Morocco, Yemen, Pakistan, Bangladesh and several of the world’s poorest countries.
The outreach, held on Thursday at the Lagos House of Assembly Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja, marked the first time Dabbagh Welfare Trust, established by Sheikh Ahmad Dabbagh, Teacher of Tareeqah Muhammadiyah in 2013, extended its humanitarian activities to Nigeria.
Muslim News gathered that 100 families benefitted from the food distribution for the month of Rajab. Each food pack contained essential household items, including rice, beans, garri, palm oil, vegetable oil, tomato paste, milk, salt and seasoning.
Each pack was valued at not less than ₦100,000 at bulk purchase price, offering beneficiaries significant relief and easing household pressures as preparations for Ramadan intensify.
The organisers assured that the food distribution initiative will continue into Shaaban and the holy month of Ramadan, making it a three-month-long intervention aimed at supporting vulnerable Muslims and easing the burden of hunger during this spiritually significant period.
Poverty, hunger undermine message of peace: Sheikh Mahmoud
Speaking during the disbursement, Sheikh Mahmoud, who is in Nigeria for different engagements, said the intervention was inspired by the alarming level of poverty and desperation he observed among families as Ramadan approaches in less than 60 days.
“While I was here for the MICA 13 Days Peace Tour across Nigeria, I identified the depth of poverty and the visible desperation of people preparing for Ramadan,” he said, adding that “I immediately reached out to Dabbagh Welfare Trust, and through this official channel, we were able to provide food packs to families in need.”
He explained that the initiative aligns with his participation in the World Peace Movement, a global project aimed at spreading the message of Islam to 192 countries of the world.
“The message of peace is not meant for Muslims alone. Everyone desires peace; the entire universe needs peace. But how do we speak of peace to people whose stomachs are unsettled and whose minds are burdened by hunger?” Sheikh Mahmoud said.
Prophetic compassion must precede preaching: Sheikh Mahmoud
Drawing lessons from the prophetic tradition, Sheikh Mahmoud, an imam based at the East London Mosque in Whitechapel, stressed that Islam prioritises meeting people’s basic needs as a gateway to spiritual guidance.
According to him, “The Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) demonstrated peace before preaching it. He cared for people’s needs and concerns, allowing them to experience Islam even before learning about it. That is the prophetic way. No one is receptive to spiritual guidance when overwhelmed by distress.”
Sheikh Mahmoud, an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) awarded by the British monarch for protecting the Finsbury Park terror attack suspect in June 2017, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support received from donors in the United Kingdom, noting that the programme, planned within two days, served as a pilot initiative.
“Alhamdulillah, the response from my contacts in the UK has been impressive. We are optimistic that these same families will receive further relief in the months of Sha‘ban and Ramadan. This will allow them to turn to Allah with ease and devotion, free from the anxiety of daily survival,” he said.
“This programme was impromptu, but it reflects shared values. We wanted to test alignment between our vision and that of The Companion, and I must say I am impressed by their swift response. I look forward to deeper collaboration in the future,” Sheikh Mahmoud added.
The Companion reaffirms commitment to poverty alleviation
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of The Companion, Ustadh Abdur-Raafi Olajide Alabi, described the initiative as part of a broader and sustained effort to combat poverty, particularly in Lagos.
According to him, the programme was designed to ease the hardship faced by vulnerable families.
“This programme, in conjunction with Dabbagh Welfare Trust, is aimed at alleviating poverty in Nigeria. We are fully aware of the severity of the situation, and the organisation has donated generously to ensure that families can eat comfortably for at least a month,” he said.
Ustadh Alabi explained that each family of six received either half a bag of rice or its equivalent, alongside eight to nine essential food items, including 10kg each of beans and gari. Beneficiaries were also provided with transport stipends to help convey the items to their homes.
He expressed deep appreciation to donors and partners whose support made the outreach possible.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our donors, especially The Companion Zakat and Sadaqah, and to well-meaning Muslims whose generosity brought this initiative to life. We also appreciate members of the press for their presence and support. May Allah preserve us all upon goodness,” he said.
Alabi disclosed plans to repeat the programme during the month of Ramadan and possibly even before then, stressing that the collaboration with the UK-based Dabbagh Welfare Trust was founded on credibility and shared humanitarian goals.
“The Companion is a reputable organisation with visible impact in Lagos and across several states of the federation. Our track record in zakat collection and disbursement for medical care, education, business support and other urgent needs speaks for itself. We believe our partners conducted due diligence before choosing to work with us,” he added.
The beneficiaries of the food outreach were deeply moved as they received the items, their faces lit with gentle smiles and hearts full of emotion. Many could not hold back their tears of joy, overwhelmed by the kindness and compassion shown to them by the organizations.
Nigerian Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
Global Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
Sponsored
