In recent years, raising funds through sponsored challenges – such as charity walks, marathons, or obstacle courses – has become increasingly popular among Muslims. The idea is simple: individuals or groups undertake a challenging activity to inspire donations for a charitable cause.
However, as with any financial activity, Muslims often seek guidance from fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) to ensure that their fundraising aligns with Islamic principles. Here’s a look at the main fiqh positions and considerations regarding sponsorship-based fundraising.
The permissibility of fundraising through sponsorships
From a fiqh perspective, sponsorship-based fundraising is generally permissible as long as it aligns with the principles of halal (lawful) fundraising. Scholars note that raising funds through acts of goodwill, such as a sponsored challenge, is permissible as it encourages charity, altruism, and community support, all of which are encouraged in Islam.
- Support for charitable causes: Charitable giving is highly valued in Islam, and sponsoring someone to raise funds for a cause aligns with this spirit.
- Voluntary and encouraged action: As long as the sponsorship is voluntary, and both the activity and the charity are halal, the arrangement is considered permissible in most Islamic legal schools.
Conditions for halal fundraising activities
While raising funds for charity is encouraged, the activity chosen for sponsorship must be within the bounds of Islamic conduct. Scholars generally agree on several conditions for the activity to be permissible:
- Avoidance of harmful or prohibited activities: The sponsored activity must not involve any prohibited (haram) actions, such as gambling, drinking alcohol, or immoral conduct.
- Modesty and decorum: The activity should maintain Islamic principles of modesty, especially if the fundraiser is conducted in public. Activities like swimming, for example, would need special consideration regarding appropriate attire.
- No promotion of forbidden content: If the activity involves sponsorships from companies, it’s important that sponsors are associated with halal businesses, avoiding companies that promote haram products or services.
Intention (Niyyah) and sincerity in fundraising challenges
Islamic jurisprudence places a strong emphasis on niyyah, or intention, in all acts of worship and charity. According to the fiqh perspective, fundraising through sponsorship challenges should be carried out with a sincere intention to benefit those in need and to please Allah.
- Avoiding insincerity or showing off: Scholars caution that if the activity is done solely to seek fame or public admiration, it could detract from the act’s spiritual reward.
- Clear intention to benefit the needy: The fundraiser should intend to bring about a positive impact for those in need, which aligns with the Islamic teaching that charity should be sincere and selfless.
Using challenge-based fundraising in sadaqah and zakat
In Islam, charity is generally categorised as sadaqah (voluntary charity) and zakat (obligatory almsgiving). For most sponsored challenges, donations would fall under sadaqah, as they are voluntarily given. However, a few key points apply:
- Sadaqah: Since sadaqah is a voluntary act of charity, funds raised through sponsorship for a challenge can be categorised under sadaqah, and the funds can be used for a broad range of charitable purposes, including poverty relief, health care, education, and environmental causes.
- Zakat: If the charity event is specifically for raising zakat funds, the beneficiaries must meet the Islamic requirements for zakat eligibility (e.g., they should be from one of the eight categories specified in the Qur’an).
Managing and distributing funds: Transparency and accountability
Islamic jurisprudence emphasises transparency, honesty, and accountability in financial dealings. In the context of charity fundraising, it’s important that funds are managed and distributed in a way that reflects these values.
- Clear allocation of funds: If participants are raising funds for a particular cause or group, they should ensure that donations are allocated specifically for that purpose.
- Transparency with donors: Participants should communicate clearly with sponsors and donors about how the funds will be used. This includes avoiding excessive administrative costs or misuse of funds, as transparency strengthens trust and aligns with Islamic principles of accountability.
Engaging in fundraising that promotes positive societal values
Many scholars highlight that fundraising through challenges has the added benefit of promoting physical health, endurance, and community cohesion, all of which are valued in Islam. As long as the activity promotes values that align with Islamic teachings, such as compassion, perseverance, and collective support, it is generally seen as a beneficial practice.
- Physical and mental health benefits: Activities that encourage health and fitness can be seen as aligning with Islam’s teachings on maintaining one’s physical body as a trust.
- Encouraging community spirit: Public challenges often inspire a sense of community and collective responsibility, encouraging people to support one another in meaningful ways.
Consulting local scholars or muftis for specific guidance
Since fiqh rulings can vary between Islamic schools of thought and local cultural practices, some scholars recommend consulting a qualified mufti or Islamic scholar for personalised guidance. This is especially relevant if the fundraising challenge involves unique circumstances or questions about sponsorships, activities, or the chosen charity.
Embracing challenge-based fundraising within Islamic principles
Fundraising through sponsorship challenges offers Muslims an opportunity to engage in charitable work that is meaningful, engaging, and aligned with the principles of Islam. By ensuring the activity is permissible, acting with sincerity, and adhering to ethical practices in managing donations, Muslims can fulfil their charitable obligations in a way that is both spiritually rewarding and beneficial to the wider community.