3rd International Conference on Arabic Studies and Islamic Civilization e-Proceeding of the 3 rd International Conference on Arabic Studies and Islamic Civilization ICASIC2016 (e-ISBN 978-967-0792-08-8). 14-15 March 2016, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Organized by http://WorldConferences.net 128 THE ROLE OF ISLAMIC NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS (NGOs) TOWARDS THE SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE MUSLIM UMMAH IN KANO STATE, NIGERIA Abubakar Sani, Ph.D. Department of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Humanities, Uŵaƌu Musa Yaƌadua UŶiǀeƌsity, P.M.B ϮϮϭϴ, KatsiŶa-Nigeria gayari319@gmail.com ABSTRACT Islam is a religion of welfare, which cares for the well-being of the less privileged, community and World at large. The welfare nature of the religion was institutionalised and practised by Prophet Muhammad (P.b.u.h) and the immediate generations after his demise. Subsequently, the Devil (Shaytan) casts into the minds of the rich and average people, the fear of poverty and thus changed their philanthropic commitments towards the poor, miserable and neglected members of the society. This paper, therefore, attempts to assess the general activities of some selected Islamic Non- governmental Organizations (NGOs) towards improving the welfare of the Muslim Ummah in Kano State. The paper in its findings, recommends public sensitization, introduction of independent welfare schemes for orphans and widows, economic empowerment, and other social programmes that will enhance self-reliance among the range beneficiaries of the programme. Keywords: Islamic NGOs, development, Muslims Ummah and Kano State. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Introduction Islam is a balanced religion which provides for all the needs of human beings directly or indirectly so that peace and happiness could be promoted among people living together in what can be termed as CoŵŵuŶity ƌegaƌdless of oƌigiŶ, ethŶiĐity aŶd ƌeligious iŶĐliŶatioŶ. These types of pƌoǀisioŶs aƌe categorised as obligatory, such as poor due (zakat) and voluntary aspects like endowment (waqf), charity (sadaqah) among others. The sole aim of these welfare institutions is to provide a way and channel through which poverty and unemployment could be reduced to a minimal ratio among people, most especially, Muslims. The efficiency of these programmes was actualised during the early period of Islam and the subsequent generations after the demise of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him). The ŵissioŶ of the Holy Pƌophet is defiŶed ďy the QuƌaŶ to be a merciful blessing (rahmah) for all mankind (2: 107). Some manifestations of this merciful blessing are stated explicitly in the QuƌaŶ. These iŶĐlude aŵoŶg otheƌ, the fosteƌiŶg of good life ;hayat tayyibahͿ aŶd ǁelfaƌe (falah), provision of ease and alleviation of hardship, generation of prosperity, nurturing a climate of love and affection, and ensuring freedom from moral corruption, hunger and mental tensions (Chapra, 1979: 6-9). Hence all organisations and institutions, including the state, should reflect the