£0.00
Donate Now

Donation Policy

Emaan Relief - Donation Policy

“The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed which grows seven ears; in every ear a hundred grains. Allah multiplies for whom He wills.” Qur’an 2:261

At Emaan Relief, your donation is an amānah (a trust). We treat it with care, transparency, and a sincere intention to maximise its impact for those in need, bi’idhni Llāh.

Our Promise to You - 100% Zakat Policy

  • We operate a 100% Zakat Policy. Your zakat is ring-fenced and distributed strictly in accordance with the Qur’anic categories outlined in Qur’an 9:60. No deductions are made for administration or fundraising.

Qur’an 9:60 – Eight Eligible Categories for Zakat:

  1. Al-fuqarā’ - the poor
  2. Al-masākīn - the needy
  3. Āmilīn ʿalayhā - zakat administrators/collectors
  4. Muʾallafat qulūbuhum - those whose hearts are to be reconciled
  5. Fir-riqāb - freeing captives/slaves
  6. Al-ghārimīn - those in debt
  7. Fī sabīlillāh - in the path of Allah
  8. Ibn as-sabīl - the stranded traveler/wayfarer

“Indeed, those who give charity… it will be multiplied for them, and they will have a noble reward.”  Qur’an 57:18

 

Zakat Distribution

Zakat is distributed strictly according to Qur’anic guidance, prioritising those most in need. Where specialist rulings are required, we consult qualified scholars and experienced practitioners. Zakat funds are ring-fenced in our systems and are never mixed with non-zakat funds.

Restricted & General Donations

  • Restricted Donations: If you specify a project or cause, we honour your intention. If the project is overfunded or cannot proceed, we will allocate the funds to a closely related purpose.
  • General Donations: These are applied to the most urgent needs across our programmes.
  • Donations made via our website or bank transfer with a specified charitable aim are treated as restricted funds. If no reference is provided, trustees may allocate the donation to any project within Emaan Relief’s charitable objectives.
  • If insufficient funds are collected for a specific project, trustees may use general funds to complete it.
  • If the charitable need no longer exists or has been fulfilled, trustees will use their discretion to determine donor intent and allocate surplus funds to similar projects.
  • We accept donations under Islamic categories such as Fidya, Kaffarah, and Zakat, which are restricted by Shariah criteria. If no country is specified, trustees will select the location based on overall considerations.

Why Retain Up to 10% from Non-Zakat Donations?

As Emaan Relief grows, so do the responsibilities required to deliver aid effectively. These include due diligence, safeguarding, compliance, secure money transfers, monitoring & evaluation, and donor reporting.

Breakdown of £1 Non-Zakat Donation:
  • 90p – Directly supports relief and development work
  • 10p – Invested in fundraising, infrastructure, and capacity building
What the 10% Helps Us Achieve:
  • Fundraising partnerships to grow reach and income
  • Marketing (including paid social ads) to attract more donors
  • Media and communications for donor updates and impact stories
  • Systems and infrastructure for secure transfers and financial controls
  • Contingency/reserves for urgent needs

We understand that by donating to us, you’re placing your trust in us, and we take that responsibility very seriously.

Water Wells - Enhanced Oversight

For water well projects, we may retain a slightly higher portion of non-zakat donations to cover essential oversight such as site surveys, supervision, and compliance. Zakat remains 100% for all projects.

Gift Aid (UK Donors)

If you’re a UK taxpayer, Gift Aid can add 25% to your eligible donation at no extra cost. This is treated as unrestricted and used where most beneficial—including staff salaries, infrastructure, and research & development.

Fees, Transfers & Security

We work to minimise payment processing and transfer fees by using reputable providers and banking channels. Robust financial controls are in place. Where fees are unavoidable, we aim to cover them from admin funds.

Transparency & Accountability

We publish annual reports, independently reviewed and audited accounts, and share project-level updates (including photos and videos where appropriate). Our default is openness, and we welcome your questions.

“Charity does not decrease wealth.” - Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim

FAQs

  1. Will my zakat ever be used for admin?

    No. Zakat is strictly ring-fenced and used only for eligible recipients.

  2. Why not apply the 100% policy to all donations?

    Non-zakat donations help us build capacity, improve delivery, and serve more people long-term.

  3. Can I restrict my non-zakat donation to a specific project?

    Yes. We will honour your restriction. If plans change, we’ll apply your donation to the closest matching purpose.

  4. How do I know my donation made a difference?

    We share updates via our social platforms and publish annual impact reports. You can always reach out for more details.

You are part of an ongoing effort to uphold the third pillar of Islam, serve the Ummah, and eradicate poverty. There is immense khair in every penny you give - even the 10% that helps us grow and reach more people. We pray it all adds up in your good deeds, Ameen.