Global Collaboration and Partnerships in Poverty Alleviation: Islamic Legal Perspective

Abstract

Poverty, not just ordinary, but abject poverty ravages most continents of the world, which makes it a global phenomenon. The total number of countries 154 were identified in a particular research while as at Mya 2024, ten most affected countries included: South Sudan, Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Mozambique, Niger, Malawi, Liberia, Madagascar and Yemen; Nigeria inclusive. Unequivocally, the problems and or challenges comprise of: bad leadership, fallen currency insecurity, bad weather that affected some agricultural production of some nation and self-egoism of the rich members of the society and selfish interest of the people in charge of distribution of Zakah. The findings revealed that some Muslims who are blessed with wealth, give out charity (Sadaqah) not compulsory alms (Zakah) which actually is not in conformity with Islamic system of wealth circulation through Zakah system. Besides some of the well to do, who ventured and gave to individual Islamic religious leaders personalised the funds and diverted such Zakah for personal use, and in some cases, family business was established with such huge amount. The research methodology adopted here was analytical with the use of library, text books related records, facts and figures in conjunction with the use of primary sources of Islam (Qur’an and Hadith). The solutions to the global poverty were suggested, summary was drawn and recommendations, such as: unified ‘Baitul mal’, demanding having records for collection, and collection judicious distribution of Zakah.