For every Muslim, Ramadan is one of the most sacred times of the year. Whilst fasting is core to this, the blessed month fosters an unparalleled sense of generosity and kindness. One of the most significant expressions of this is charitable giving. As Prophet (SAW) said: “The best charity is the one which is given in Ramadan” (Tirmidhi).
To empower donors to maximise both the impact of their contributions and their spiritual rewards, MCF is sharing a series of Donor Advice #GiveSmartGiveSafe articles to guide donor giving in an intentional and impactful way – thereby striving for excellence and making the most impact for those in need.
Give with Confidence: How to Ensure your Money Reaches the Right Hands
Technology has made the process of donating easier than ever, allowing us to contribute at the touch of a button. However, this convenience comes with an increased risk of fraud and phishing scams, as scammers use tactics such as creating fake websites and posing as street fundraisers to divert money away from those in need. According to the 2022 report by the Charity Commission, fraud cost UK charities over £2.3 billion annually. The significance of these issue leaves many donors uncertain about whom to trust. By understanding these risks and staying vigilant, we can safeguard our donations, ensuring they reach the right hands.
Allah (swt) commands us to be thoughtful and intentional in our giving:
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:267)
“O you who have believed, spend from the good things which you have earned and from that which We have produced for you from the earth. And do not aim toward the defective (or bad) from it, (intending) to spend [in charity], while you would not take it (yourself) except with closed eyes. And know that Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy.
This Ayat remind us that charity should come from good and lawful earnings, not low-quality or unwanted possessions, and that giving should be sincere and thoughtful, ensuring that our donations truly benefit those in need. Ultimately, Allah (swt) is not in need of charity, we are the ones who gain from giving. By acknowledging this we are reminded of our responsibility to be deliberate and mindful in our giving, ensuring that our contributions are ethical, impactful and directed towards those in need.
To uphold these values this Ramadan, we must take proactive steps to ensure that our contributions are secure, effective and impactful. This article is part of #GiveSmartGiveSafe Series and will provide essential guidance on verifying charities, avoiding scams and giving with confidence.
Checking a Charity’s Legitimacy
With countless charities across the Muslim charity sector, how can you be sure that the organisation you’re donating to is legitimate?
There are multiple ways in verifying a charity:
Check their registration number-Every registered charity will have an ID number that should be published either on their website or socials.
Use official resources-The Charity Commission have a page to look up registered charities. Their profile on the Charity Commission site should contain; an overview of who they are, their financial reports and their board of trustees. Any charity not on this page is not registered could therefore be fraudulent.
Check it out here– https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search
Taking these steps will help you to confidently donate to organisations that are credible and legitimate.
Safe Online Giving
As we’ve highlighted online donations are very convenient. So, you’ve found a charity you want to support this Ramadan; but you’re not sure the page you’re using can be trusted – what should you do?
When donating safely, keep an eye out for these aspects:
Donate directly-Donate directly on the charity’s website and avoid links from emails or social media unless you can verify their source.
Look for HTTPS-The website’s URL should start with “https://” as this signifies a secure connection.
Keeping Receipts-As with any online payment you should receive a confirmation email. When donating, keep these as a receipt to get your money back if you do get scammed.
Being vigilant will help to keep both your money and information safe while supporting reputable causes.
Verifying street fundraisers
We’ve all encountered this before. You’re in a public place when someone approaches you. They’re supporting a great cause, and you’re interested in donating but not sure how they can prove they are trustworthy, what should you ask?
Ask to see an ID– Fundraisers should carry ID linking them to a registered organisation.
Ask for a license-In the UK all legal street fundraisers must have a license from the Local Authority or Metropolitan Police (for London).
Check the buckets-Legitimate organisations must use sealed collection buckets to prevent fraud.
If any of these things seem amiss, leave the conversation. You can conduct your own research later to validate authenticity using the tools from the ‘Safe Online Giving and Checking a Charity’s Legitimacy’ section.
Ensuring that your charitable contributions are legitimate, safe and impactful is a crucial part of ethical giving as commanded by Allah (swt). By checking legitimacy, staying vigilant online and assessing in-person fundraisers, you can donate with confidence this Ramadan, knowing your money is reaching the right hands. This guide, as part of The Good Giving Series, will help you donate with excellence this month, ensuring every penny makes a difference. May Allah (swt) accept our efforts and guide us to give wisely and with sincerity.
Want to learn more?
Download The Muslim Donor’s Guide and you can #GiveSmartGiveSafe through Ramadan and beyond!
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