Asalamu alaikum. I don’t donate to most nonprofits, because Alhamdulillah, I know several people who need the cash in hand, not to mention various direct aid options. For example, I have a contact in Gaza who frequently organizes distributions of food and water. Allah SWT also made me aware of a brother who posts videos of his Ramadan food distributions in the Gambia to YouTube. Finally, the Mezquita Mayor in Granada has a foundation that distributes zakat strictly according to the Qur’an and to Malik’i fiqh. That is a rarity; nonprofits tend to be sloppy in their guidelines as to appropriate recipients, not to mention administrative costs.
I absolutely trust this organization. I have known the founder for many many years I'm consider him to be a personal friend. They do amazing work and all of their stuff are volunteers and take zero salary and no overhead is used in their work. Even the founder does not take a salary for his work.
I gave to the majority of my Zakat for my Khala in Karachi to distribute to the orphanage my extended family is involved with, and at a hospital where she visits the patients.
My husband also knows one of the directors at Hanan so fave part there. I appreciate your writings on the topic they were really enlightening.
Assalamualaikum, I don't really like to talk about my charitable giving but for the sake of discussion and perhaps the possibility of encouraging others this is what I have to say. There is one organization that I trust inherently because they have zero overhead and I know the head of the organization for many many years and I am well aware of the impact that they have in the work that they do. I choose not to name the organization here. As with many other Muslim families, we had to send some money overseas as well via private transfers of funds. In addition, I did not give any extra money to my local Masjid but I donated in kind in the form of various supplies that are needed in the mosque, especially during Ramadan when we host several iftars. I determine what the need is and I go and buy it and put it in the mosque. We also deliver to local economically impoverished families here in my city with the help of some zakat money that has been entrusted to us. When I say us I mean me and my wife. We purchased the groceries for the needy families and deliver it to their homes. Ask for donating to larger organizations I am done with that. I'm also not in support of these big vanity projects that the various mosques have. There has to be more transparency and increase democracy in the decision-making process before I will have enough confidence to donate to these organizations any further. May Allah accept from all of us.
I primarily donated to sharethemeal app as I have been told they are quiet transparent.
Other then that in UK I made little donation towards cage sapience institute 5 pillars as they are organisations that are doing work for Al Islam ( look at madudi ra definition of Al Islam). I found their work to have positive impact so I donated even though I've no clue how they will spend this money
In USA it was towards muslimskeptic and the unity lab (ceasefire for kids).
Same with these I like their work I have no clue how these people will spend the money. Muslim skeptic is doing great work though Masha Allah
I am hoping to find a charity that is very very transparent and donates at least 90 pence out of every £1 donated towards the cause they can use 10p for their admin and other costs etc.
I hope they will promote Al Islam such as when I donate to make a school they will make sure the school teaches people science etc same way ghazali ra would have taught
In UK we can do direct bank transfer to sapience institute and 5 pillars I assume this would mean no transfer fees but I have not confirmed.
In all fairness I'm unsure of how to judge if charity is transparent etc nowadays I listen to you brohajji etc and try to see which charity you people would recommend
No I have never thought of reviewing financial information probably because I will find it too complicated.
I look at the work that's been done that's how I review positive impact in the case of Muslim skeptic I can see their worm against liberalism madkhalism this makes me want to support them .
In case of 5 pillars I can see their articles their podcasts etc are raising awareness for Muslim issues they were one fo first people to go to Syria and Afghanistan for reporting so that's why I try to support them
Asalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh Brother - I'm working on building a charity platform that will particularly serve the Ummah InshaAllah. While researching existing platforms I came across your articles speaking how some of these platforms in reality are profit-making schemes and falsely pretend to be helping the humanitarian causes. I am deeply concerned what I have learnt and I wish to understand more - I request you to please speak with me more on this. Can you please indicate your availability? I can be available on ganaiwali@gmail.com ganaiwali on X ( I don't know of any other way to contact you and it's important I speak with you. Please send me a DM on twitter or email. I would be grateful for your consideration.
I donated mostly to 501c organizations primarily for the reasons of tax deductions. These organizations also have some level of transparency in terms of their activities and overheads via their IRS filings.
Organizations I avoid are the ones that send out huge mailers with their yearly marketing reports or Ramadan guides and calendars. Who needs or reads those in this day and age. Simply shows inefficient use of funds.
I also avoid educational organizations that claim using Zakah for needy students.
I'm a research analyist who has been tracking Israel for 60 years & Netanyahu for over 30. Like Pakistan I've designated Netanyahu as a TERRORISTS - Here's the primary reason.
He knew almost a year in advance of the 10/7 Hamas attack and did NOTHING to stop it, Then he move Israeli Border Guards from the Gaza Border to the West Bank. Finally he waiting almost 5 hours to send in the IDF after knowing of the 10/7 Hamas attack. To me that spells that Netanyahu was willing to sacrifice his own people to have a case to then attack Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria with his military & more. Recently he even violated the terms of the Cease Fire.
Pakistan and I have both designated Netanyahu as a Terrorists!!
I'm a research analyist who has been tracking Israel for 60 years & Netanyahu for over 30. Like Pakistan I've designated Netanyahu as a TERRORISTS - Here's the primary reason.
He knew almost a hear in advance of the 10/7 Hamas attack and did NOTHING to stop it, Then he moved Israeli Border Guards from the Gaza Border to the West Bank. Finally he waiting almost 5 hours to send in the IDF after knowing of the 10/7 Hamas attack. To me that spells that Netanyahu was willing to sacrifice his own people to have a case to then attack all the Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria with his military & more.
Recently he even violated the terms of the Cease Fire.
Pakistan and I have both designated Netanyahu as a Terrorists!!
I really don't pay much attention to campaigns anymore, and I think it's a shame, even though I believe im justified in doing so. If one was to reflect on all the funds raised from Muslims in western lands in the last 3 decades, have they had proper strategic efforts, they could've been many self-sustaining projects.Take for example your recent findings about seekersguidance and add to that since it started its collections of donations it raised 10s of millions in its general account and 10s of millions in its zakaat fund, and a primary stated mission was to train students to be scholars and to my knowledge after 15 years 20s of millions of dollars not 1 scholar to show for! It was enough funds had they just divided among needy scholars in the organization they would've been set for life. Anyways I'm mentioning things for one to learn because majority of organizations squander Muslims wealth and miss out tremendously. Some odd things organizations do which shows their lack of concern for Muslims practicing Islam: 1) They use marketing skills and techniques to extract donations out of their donors. Muslims are motivated by faith and those in marketing are trained to execute and grow in a capitalistic way those two things are not compatible. 2)When donating zakat online usually a fee is associated and deducted by whoever is hosting the transaction commonly between 1-3 percent so if someone is unaware they might still owe a little more zakaat. 3) The ideal of giving donors the option of paying recurring zakaat( every month it is auto deducted until you remove yourself from the enrollment)is an example of how they try to secure funding at the cost of teaching people Islam properly because a)one isn't sure he will still have his wealth b)certainty of nisab and conditions of zakat is required when giving zakat c)when conditions are certain then can one only have the intention of giving zakat as an act of worship. People being informed hurts their bottom line though. That's what is important to them not you practicing Islam validly. Okay I'm tired now that's all for today! Happy Eid!
I had focused on organizations that distribute food and other survival necessities in Gaza especially Gaza soup kitchen and the khair challenge
Also a couple of organizations focused of enabling projects in recently freed Syria like the white helmets , Syrian forum , providing assistance towards self sufficiency
Zakat was donated primarily to Palestine, privately and through organizations such as HHRD, PAMA, MATW, etc. during Ramadan, automated monthly giving via Launchgood. Gave some donations, non Zakat to the local masjid
I give to IRUSA, different organizations that ask.. Zakat and sadaqa gifts are different. I try to give directly when asked and I give to people I trust directly and I tend to trust organizations.
Could you learn more about Heal Palestine? The founder left pcrf and they let you earmark where the $ goes. I’d love to learn more
I have a few articles here on IRUSA. The hope in this newsletter (it’s in the name) is that we give with ehsan. Allah accept your intention and giving.
Heal Palestine from their website looks good. I don’t see any financial reporting specifically for zakat yet. It’s just too new.
Asalamu alaikum. I don’t donate to most nonprofits, because Alhamdulillah, I know several people who need the cash in hand, not to mention various direct aid options. For example, I have a contact in Gaza who frequently organizes distributions of food and water. Allah SWT also made me aware of a brother who posts videos of his Ramadan food distributions in the Gambia to YouTube. Finally, the Mezquita Mayor in Granada has a foundation that distributes zakat strictly according to the Qur’an and to Malik’i fiqh. That is a rarity; nonprofits tend to be sloppy in their guidelines as to appropriate recipients, not to mention administrative costs.
Hand to hand is the best practice and lost for so many. Allah reward you and accept.
OBAT. I personally know the founder. And they ensure 100% of their zakah goes to recipients. They separately fund their admin costs.
That’s great! Is that documented anywhere?
I absolutely trust this organization. I have known the founder for many many years I'm consider him to be a personal friend. They do amazing work and all of their stuff are volunteers and take zero salary and no overhead is used in their work. Even the founder does not take a salary for his work.
They also post their financials openly on the website. Although I have no idea how to interpret it. I just trust the individual who runs it.
https://obatcanada.org/who-we-are/our-100-policy/
Just a heads up that there's a difference between OBAT US and OBAT Canada's approaches/models
I gave to the majority of my Zakat for my Khala in Karachi to distribute to the orphanage my extended family is involved with, and at a hospital where she visits the patients.
My husband also knows one of the directors at Hanan so fave part there. I appreciate your writings on the topic they were really enlightening.
Mostly to people I know. Also gave to UNRWA and UNRWA USA
Assalamualaikum, I don't really like to talk about my charitable giving but for the sake of discussion and perhaps the possibility of encouraging others this is what I have to say. There is one organization that I trust inherently because they have zero overhead and I know the head of the organization for many many years and I am well aware of the impact that they have in the work that they do. I choose not to name the organization here. As with many other Muslim families, we had to send some money overseas as well via private transfers of funds. In addition, I did not give any extra money to my local Masjid but I donated in kind in the form of various supplies that are needed in the mosque, especially during Ramadan when we host several iftars. I determine what the need is and I go and buy it and put it in the mosque. We also deliver to local economically impoverished families here in my city with the help of some zakat money that has been entrusted to us. When I say us I mean me and my wife. We purchased the groceries for the needy families and deliver it to their homes. Ask for donating to larger organizations I am done with that. I'm also not in support of these big vanity projects that the various mosques have. There has to be more transparency and increase democracy in the decision-making process before I will have enough confidence to donate to these organizations any further. May Allah accept from all of us.
I primarily donated to sharethemeal app as I have been told they are quiet transparent.
Other then that in UK I made little donation towards cage sapience institute 5 pillars as they are organisations that are doing work for Al Islam ( look at madudi ra definition of Al Islam). I found their work to have positive impact so I donated even though I've no clue how they will spend this money
In USA it was towards muslimskeptic and the unity lab (ceasefire for kids).
Same with these I like their work I have no clue how these people will spend the money. Muslim skeptic is doing great work though Masha Allah
I am hoping to find a charity that is very very transparent and donates at least 90 pence out of every £1 donated towards the cause they can use 10p for their admin and other costs etc.
I hope they will promote Al Islam such as when I donate to make a school they will make sure the school teaches people science etc same way ghazali ra would have taught
In UK we can do direct bank transfer to sapience institute and 5 pillars I assume this would mean no transfer fees but I have not confirmed.
In all fairness I'm unsure of how to judge if charity is transparent etc nowadays I listen to you brohajji etc and try to see which charity you people would recommend
And Allah knows best
How do you determine positive impact? Do you ever review financial information for organizations you donate to?
No I have never thought of reviewing financial information probably because I will find it too complicated.
I look at the work that's been done that's how I review positive impact in the case of Muslim skeptic I can see their worm against liberalism madkhalism this makes me want to support them .
In case of 5 pillars I can see their articles their podcasts etc are raising awareness for Muslim issues they were one fo first people to go to Syria and Afghanistan for reporting so that's why I try to support them
And Allah knows best
MATW Project
Would love to learn more. I would like to see the 990 and financials. I don’t see it readily available
Small organizations that serve Gaza, Sudan, Yemen and sometimes individuals from those areas, local masajid and individuals in the West Bank
Per people recommendations - Sameer project, Pious Project, Sapa
Thanks. What organizations? How do you donate to masajid in the West Bank?
West Bank - only to individuals that my friend knows
Asalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh Brother - I'm working on building a charity platform that will particularly serve the Ummah InshaAllah. While researching existing platforms I came across your articles speaking how some of these platforms in reality are profit-making schemes and falsely pretend to be helping the humanitarian causes. I am deeply concerned what I have learnt and I wish to understand more - I request you to please speak with me more on this. Can you please indicate your availability? I can be available on ganaiwali@gmail.com ganaiwali on X ( I don't know of any other way to contact you and it's important I speak with you. Please send me a DM on twitter or email. I would be grateful for your consideration.
I donated mostly to 501c organizations primarily for the reasons of tax deductions. These organizations also have some level of transparency in terms of their activities and overheads via their IRS filings.
Organizations I avoid are the ones that send out huge mailers with their yearly marketing reports or Ramadan guides and calendars. Who needs or reads those in this day and age. Simply shows inefficient use of funds.
I also avoid educational organizations that claim using Zakah for needy students.
which ones did you donate to and what made you decide to donate to them?
I'm a research analyist who has been tracking Israel for 60 years & Netanyahu for over 30. Like Pakistan I've designated Netanyahu as a TERRORISTS - Here's the primary reason.
He knew almost a year in advance of the 10/7 Hamas attack and did NOTHING to stop it, Then he move Israeli Border Guards from the Gaza Border to the West Bank. Finally he waiting almost 5 hours to send in the IDF after knowing of the 10/7 Hamas attack. To me that spells that Netanyahu was willing to sacrifice his own people to have a case to then attack Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria with his military & more. Recently he even violated the terms of the Cease Fire.
Pakistan and I have both designated Netanyahu as a Terrorists!!
I'm a research analyist who has been tracking Israel for 60 years & Netanyahu for over 30. Like Pakistan I've designated Netanyahu as a TERRORISTS - Here's the primary reason.
He knew almost a hear in advance of the 10/7 Hamas attack and did NOTHING to stop it, Then he moved Israeli Border Guards from the Gaza Border to the West Bank. Finally he waiting almost 5 hours to send in the IDF after knowing of the 10/7 Hamas attack. To me that spells that Netanyahu was willing to sacrifice his own people to have a case to then attack all the Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria with his military & more.
Recently he even violated the terms of the Cease Fire.
Pakistan and I have both designated Netanyahu as a Terrorists!!
I really don't pay much attention to campaigns anymore, and I think it's a shame, even though I believe im justified in doing so. If one was to reflect on all the funds raised from Muslims in western lands in the last 3 decades, have they had proper strategic efforts, they could've been many self-sustaining projects.Take for example your recent findings about seekersguidance and add to that since it started its collections of donations it raised 10s of millions in its general account and 10s of millions in its zakaat fund, and a primary stated mission was to train students to be scholars and to my knowledge after 15 years 20s of millions of dollars not 1 scholar to show for! It was enough funds had they just divided among needy scholars in the organization they would've been set for life. Anyways I'm mentioning things for one to learn because majority of organizations squander Muslims wealth and miss out tremendously. Some odd things organizations do which shows their lack of concern for Muslims practicing Islam: 1) They use marketing skills and techniques to extract donations out of their donors. Muslims are motivated by faith and those in marketing are trained to execute and grow in a capitalistic way those two things are not compatible. 2)When donating zakat online usually a fee is associated and deducted by whoever is hosting the transaction commonly between 1-3 percent so if someone is unaware they might still owe a little more zakaat. 3) The ideal of giving donors the option of paying recurring zakaat( every month it is auto deducted until you remove yourself from the enrollment)is an example of how they try to secure funding at the cost of teaching people Islam properly because a)one isn't sure he will still have his wealth b)certainty of nisab and conditions of zakat is required when giving zakat c)when conditions are certain then can one only have the intention of giving zakat as an act of worship. People being informed hurts their bottom line though. That's what is important to them not you practicing Islam validly. Okay I'm tired now that's all for today! Happy Eid!
Salam Alikom
I had focused on organizations that distribute food and other survival necessities in Gaza especially Gaza soup kitchen and the khair challenge
Also a couple of organizations focused of enabling projects in recently freed Syria like the white helmets , Syrian forum , providing assistance towards self sufficiency
Zakat was donated primarily to Palestine, privately and through organizations such as HHRD, PAMA, MATW, etc. during Ramadan, automated monthly giving via Launchgood. Gave some donations, non Zakat to the local masjid
I give to IRUSA, different organizations that ask.. Zakat and sadaqa gifts are different. I try to give directly when asked and I give to people I trust directly and I tend to trust organizations.
Could you learn more about Heal Palestine? The founder left pcrf and they let you earmark where the $ goes. I’d love to learn more
I have a few articles here on IRUSA. The hope in this newsletter (it’s in the name) is that we give with ehsan. Allah accept your intention and giving.
Heal Palestine from their website looks good. I don’t see any financial reporting specifically for zakat yet. It’s just too new.