While many are turning to labour camps offering gift boxes to the inmates others are heading towards charitable institutions to contribute their share and partake in the joy of making a meaningful difference.

And then there are those, who leave home every day with an enthusiasm to reignite the culture of giving and integrate it into the community lifestyle. One such individual is Khalid Rashid Al Thani, Deputy Secretary General, Awqaf and Minors’ Affairs Foundation (AMAF), who says, “Life is increasingly becoming fast paced, while values are being replaced with materialistic goals. Today, many Muslims are not paying Zakat, which is mandatory. Therefore, inculcating the habit of offering Sadaqa, which is voluntary, is a challenge. However, I know it will happen, though it may take time — the wheels have begun to turn.

“Over the last seven years, it has been a fulfilling experience that my scope of work is resulting in improving the situation of those around me. However, it is not necessary to pick a social service role to make a difference. The society needs doctors, engineers — every profession is crucial. It is essential to demonstrate piety, honesty and a charitable attitude in whatever you do.”

Notably, charity is an integral part of Islamic culture. According to Hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: ‘Charity is a necessity for every Muslim’.

He was then asked: ‘What if a person has nothing?’

The Prophet replied: ‘He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity.’

The Companions asked: ‘What if he is not able to work?’

The Prophet said: ‘He should help the poor and needy’.

The Companions further asked ‘What if he cannot do even that?’

The Prophet said ‘He should urge others to do good’.

The Companions queried ‘What if he lacks that also?’

The Prophet said ‘He should check himself from doing evil. That is also charity’.

The concepts of Zakat and Sadaqa, which were laid down in the Holy Quran, are pillars of this philosophy. A Muslim adult who has an average amount in cash or assets including goods for trade that is equivalent to 85 grams of gold is mandated to pay Zakat at the rate of 2.5 per cent. Sadqa, which offers testimony to a Muslim’s faith, is a voluntary and optional donation that is Sunnah, in keeping with the Prophet’s (PBUH) teachings. Muslims can choose to offer sadqa whenever, as much as they want to give, to any person/organisation that they feel needs it or will put it to good use.

It is essential to mark that Zakat is a fixed proportion collected only from the surplus wealth and earnings of a Muslim and paid on the net balance after spending on basic necessities, family expenses, due credits, and taxes. Payable after the passing of a complete lunar year, Zakat means growth, purification and blessing in Arabic. The act of offering Zakat purifies the wealth and soul of a Muslim. In addition to bringing prosperity and happiness, Zakat shields the donor and the receiver from negative emotions and purifies sins.

A resident of the UAE, Mousa Mohamed says, “Offering Zakat and Sadaqa must be a way of life for Muslims. Though obligatory according to the Quran, if Zakat is offered with compassion it is fulfilling beyond expression. We are asked but to offer a miniscule percentage of our surplus. However, it brings manifold abundance.”

Zakat can only be offered to financially deprived Muslims and those employed to collect the funds such as Islamic charitable institutions. It is also extended as a monetary relief to free captives, clear obligations of those in debt, and the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything). Sadaqa, on the other hand, may be given to mark or bring blessings to occasions such as weddings, anniversaries, personal success or even instances of sadness or bereavement. In short, Sadaqa could be given during periods of happiness or sadness or as a sign of gratitude.

Notably, Zakat cannot be utilised for Haj and Umra. It is an additional contribution such as Sadaqa. Sharia’a mandates Zakat to be given to the beneficiary immediately and directly — it cannot be invested for accruing returns for later use such as endowment funds. Sadaqa on the other hand, is used for setting up endowment funds.

“Explained elaborately and to the finest detail, the concepts of Zakat and sadqa meet every need of society. Both Zakat and endowments set up from Sadaqa are intended to strengthen the community fabric. If utilized in a planned and organised manner Sadaqa can help enhance infrastructure through the establishment of schools, hospitals and other utility projects, as well as raise the standard of living and close the economic gap in the community. It is for us to ensure that we remain true to these principles,” adds Mousa Mohamed.

Recognising this need, AMAF was set up in 2005 by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Mandated to streamline endowment funds in Dubai, AMAF additionally looks after the welfare of orphaned and underprivileged minors.

In addition to Sadaqa, AMAF receives contributions from non-Muslim members of the community and corporates for its five key endowment funds (Islamic Affairs, Health, Education, Social and General). Donors can offer Sadaqa for a specific fund or the general one that can be used for miscellaneous causes.

On inception, AMAF rolled out endowment boxes across malls and hospitals, which mobilised the society to contribute to a cause and raised significant earnings. Additionally, the easily accessible boxes help people participate in setting up endowments. AMAF’s first project that was kicked off in early 2006, collected Dh15 million using a fresh approach to fundraising — individuals across various strata of society were welcome to buy coupons in denominations of 100. Usually practiced in Sharjah and Kuwait, it marked the first for Dubai.

Interestingly, 95 per cent of the endowment funds in Dubai are offered for mosques. While it is largely perceived that endowments can only be made for mosques, diversifying endowment projects will ensure holistic development. Notably, the first endowment project in Dubai, which dates back a century, was also set up for a mosque.

Furthermore, funds are usually contributed for building a mosque; however, its maintenance is largely forgotten, which creates a burden on the public sector resources. The trend necessitates the creation of endowments that generate resources such as a shop. The profits can be used to fund the maintenance of existing mosques.

Khalid Rashid Al Thani says, “Towards this end, AMAF encourages individuals seeking to build a mosque of Dh10 million to make provision for its upkeep, which will amount to approximately 5-7 per cent annually. AMAF is additionally looking at streamlining regulations that will prohibit individuals to build endowments without provisioning for its caretaking.”

Established in conjunction with the Dubai Sports Council, the AMAF headquarters serves as a testimony to the success of endowment projects. “Constructed by AMAF on the land owned by the Dubai Sports Council, the building provides AMAF space for headquarters on two floors. The remaining space is let out for residential use and generates significant revenue in rents, which is distributed between the two organisations. Using its share of income, AMAF not only pays for its operating expenses but also invests in its five endowment funds,” explains Khalid Rashid Al Thani.

In its role as a caretaker of minors, AMAF accepts Zakat, which is used for minors. Zakat contributions are received round the year including the Holy Month of Ramadan. It is saved in the ‘Zakat fund’ and used as and when needed to provide for requirements such as education and housing.

AMAF immediately steps in when a minor loses the father. Here onwards, AMAF looks into the holistic development of the child not only fulfilling the financial needs but also mentoring and grooming him/her into independent and socially responsible individuals. Today, AMAF is responsible for the welfare of 2,500 minors, 75 per cent of which are poor and have limited financial resources such as a modest inheritance. For PR professional, Nermine Afiouni, it is essential to incorporate these principles into her lifestyle. She says, “Zakat is one of the five standards of Islam. If one does not offer Zakat, then he or she is not a practicing Muslim. While helping those in need, the act of contributing Zakat teaches you to be more responsible towards your resources and sympathetic towards the plight of others. However, Sadaqa is easier to practice — there is no need for calculation or planning. You can offer Sadaqa in everything you do — vacating a chair for an elderly person is also Sadaqa. I feel it is important that we imbibe such values in our daily lives, this is the only way forward.”

A famous Arabian proverb aptly summarises the essence of charitable attitude promoted by Islam — If you have much, give of your wealth; if you have little, give of your heart.