In this Issue:

• • Muslim Giving and Philanthropy: The Intersection of Generosity, Ramadan, and Zakat
  • Expanded Perspective: The Sacred Call to Care for Creation
  • Empowering Communities: The Transformative Potential and Practices of Zakat in the Contemporary United States
  • 20th Annual Thomas H. Lake Lecture with Dr. Willie Jennings

By Abdul Samad, Ph.D. candidate, Assistant Director and Research Scholar, Muslim Philanthropy Initiative, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy & Mohannad Mofawaz, Ph.D. candidate, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

Giving and generosity are fundamental aspects of Islamic teachings, deeply intertwined into the social, economic, and spiritual facets of Muslim life. The Qur’an emphasizes the importance of giving with the verse: “Those who spend their wealth [in the cause of Allah] by night and day, secretly and openly, they will have their reward with their Lord. No fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve” (2:274). This emphasis on generosity becomes even more pronounced during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. Ramadan, similar in spirit to Yom Kippur in Judaism and Lent in Christianity, is a sacred period of spiritual reflection and heightened generosity. However, each of these traditions carries its own unique religious significance, rituals, and meanings (Fatima et al., 2024). For Muslims, Ramadan offers a special opportunity to purify their wealth and soul through charitable giving, reinforcing values of social justice and economic equality (Owoyemi, 2020; Siddiqui & Wasif, 2021).

Giving in Islam occurs through many channels, with one major channel being zakat. The practice of zakat refers to obligatory almsgiving for all eligible Muslims. In 2022, United States Muslims contributed an estimated $1.8 billion in zakat (Hughes et al., 2023). This indicates that the average Muslim gave approximately $2,070 in zakat. Across the globe, Muslims interpret zakat through various frames: as philanthropy (long-term fix for socio-economic problems), charity (fixing an immediate issue), or a religious tax (mandatory collection by authorized entity). In the U.S., Muslims tend to view zakat as an act of philanthropy or charity rather than as a tax imposed on them by religious authorities (Siddiqui et al., 2022; Hughes et al., 2023). Although zakat can be given at any time during the year, many Muslims intentionally choose to give it during Ramadan, as the spiritual rewards for charitable acts performed in this sacred month are believed to be multiplied (Munusamy, 2019). Recent research by Siddiqui et al. (2024) found that 69.3% of surveyed U.S. Muslims reported that they often or always give zakat during Ramadan. Interestingly, the study also revealed a gender difference, showing that women were significantly more likely than men to give zakat during Ramadan. Many Muslim-led nonprofits allocate substantial resources to their Ramadan fundraising campaigns, knowing that a large percentage of annual donations arrive during this month (Stack, 2022).

The generosity shown during Ramadan extends beyond personal spiritual benefits; it also contributes to social cohesion within Muslim communities. Ramadan encourages wealth redistribution, as wealthier Muslims actively provide financial assistance to those who are less fortunate. This process fosters social solidarity, strengthening the bonds between different socioeconomic groups (Ahmad and Goel, 2012). Islamic generosity does not merely serve an economic purpose; it also reinforces communal unity, creating a deeper sense of belonging, harmony, and collective responsibility—especially in the religious context of Ramadan. According to Shalihin and Sholihin (2022), Islamic generosity—through acts of alms and infaq (voluntary giving)—serves as a crucial mediator between mechanical solidarity and social cohesion.

There are an estimated 3.45 million Muslims in the United States. The Muslim community is highly diverse, reflecting a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, which results in a diverse set of opinions and debates (Cooperman, 2017; Siddiqui et al., 2025). Many U.S. nonprofits offer resources for zakat and charitable giving, but these are limited. It’s crucial to better understand how, where, and why people give zakat across different demographics. Zakat eligibility, including who can receive it and for what causes, is a key concern for scholars, practitioners, theologians and community leaders (Siddiqui et al., 2025). There is also an ongoing debate among these leaders regarding how zakat can be collected and distributed among Muslims or non-Muslims living both abroad and in the U.S. (Siddiqui et al., 2025). The Qur’an specifies eight categories of zakat recipients, stating that “Alms-tax is only for the poor and the needy, for those employed to administer it, for those whose hearts are attracted to the faith, for freeing slaves, for those in debt, for Allah’s cause, and for needy travelers.” (9:60).

It is estimated that one-third of American Muslims are unsure about their understanding of zakat, indicating their openness to learning more about it (Siddiqui et al., 2025). The Muslim Philanthropy Initiative (MPI) at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, in collaboration with Islamic Relief (USA), invited select Islamic scholars and leaders to discuss zakat practices in the United States at a Symposium held in November 2024. The scholars agreed that the Muslim-American community is highly diverse, encompassing a range of interpretations of Islamic theology, cultural practices, and ethnic backgrounds. This diversity has led to varied perspectives on zakat and differences in how it is understood and practiced (Siddiqui et al., 2025). Several scholars argued that Allah does not discriminate between a Muslim and a non-Muslim miskeen (poor), especially in extreme crises. In a natural disaster or war zone, it would be unimaginable to differentiate between Muslims and non-Muslims when distributing zakat donations. The Muslim community should contribute to the broader society (Siddiqui et al., 2025).

It is important to recognize that zakat can greatly benefit both Muslims and the broader society, and it is essential to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Increased collaboration among scholars, practitioners, and institutions is needed to create a unified yet diverse framework for zakat in the United States. This approach will ensure that zakat is practiced in ways that are both theologically sound and suitable for the Muslim-American community and the communities in which they live.

Abdul Samad is the Assistant Director of the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative (MPI) at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and the managing editor for the Muslim Humanitarian Review Journal. Abdul’s research focuses on the intersections of philanthropy, community collaboration, nonprofit management, and the civic engagement of marginalized communities. He is the author of Nonprofit Collaborations in Diverse Communities: Challenges and Opportunities in Muslim-Led Organizations, a book that explores key dynamics within nonprofit collaborations in diverse and minority-led contexts. As a practitioner and research scholar, Abdul’s work spans multiple fields. He has actively engaged and consulted with philanthropic foundations, nonprofits, and government agencies to translate research into practice. His research has been published by prestigious outlets such as Routledge, Edward Elgar Publishing, Voluntary Sector Review, Foundation Review Journal, Journal of Public Affairs Education, and Indiana University Press. 

Mohannad Mofawaz is a Ph.D. candidate at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy focusing on financial sustainability and foundations. Mohannad decided to dedicate his privilege to creating sustainable financial systems that advance the most vulnerable populations. While completing his B.S. in Industrial Systems Engineering in his home country of Saudi Arabia, he mulled over the ways that he could best contribute to social equity. He then made a career change and earned his M.A. in philanthropic studies. He served as the COO and Strategy Manager at Al-Fozan Academy at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Mineral, focusing on improving nonprofit leaders across Saudi Arabia and GCC. He serves as a board member in different organizations in Saudi Arabia focusing on youth work. 

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