Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Nawaal Fund?
The Nawaal Fund is a registered local charity which aims to use zakat and sadaqah donated from locals to provide financial assistance to poor and needy individuals living in Hackney, Newham, Waltham Forrest and other nearby neighbouring boroughs of Inner London. Our vision is to endeavour to provide for the essential and basic needs of locals by attempting to obtain donations from the local community, thereby creating a bond between local zakat/sadqah donors and our local needy. We feel it is essential that whilst giving financial donations to aid international relief efforts and the poor around the world, locals also have a religious and communal responsibility to help vulnerable people who live literally outside our own doorsteps.
Who are the named individuals behind Nawaal Fund?
The charity is overseen by trustees who are all prominent members of the local Hackney Indian (Gujarati) Muslim community:
- (Dr. Mufti) Abdur Rahman Mangera – Chair of Trustees/Board
- Yusuf Dana
- Eusoof Amerat
In addition to the trustees the organisation also has a number of other members who help with the day-to-day administration needs:
- (Hafez) Suleman Alibhai
- Maariyah Dawood
- Yunus Kapadia
- (Hafez) Adnaan Patel
- Samira Shaikh
- Hammad Limbada
What type of assistance does the Nawaal Fund provide?
Those eligible to receive zakat will receive financial assistance to pay for food, clothing, debts, utility bills, rent, shelter, travel, childcare and other essential expenses.
Nawaal Fund works with the welfare system
The welfare system in this country only offers financial assistance to those eligible to receive benefits. Where an individual is not eligible for welfare payments or the amount of welfare benefits received is not enough to meet their needs, and their net assets fall below the value of nisab, the Nawaal Fund may be able to provide financial assistance.
The Application Process
Who is eligible for Zakat?
A Muslim whose net assets are under the value of the current silver nisab and is struggling to meet their expenses. Such a person would be eligible to apply for zakat from the Nawaal Fund.
Who is eligible for sadaqah/lillah?
A person whose monthly income is above the value of the current silver nisab but is still struggling to meet their expenses- such a person would be eligible to apply for sadaqah/lillah from the Nawaal Fund. NBF uses voluntary sadaqah/lillah in circumstances such as ; in an emergency before a full zakat assessment has been completed, grants for those of other faith / no-faith residents and any other forms of support to directly support local residents where zakat cannot not be used.
How do I make an application?
Applications can be made online on our website. If a hardcopy PDF application form is required please email us at admin@nawaal.org
Assessment of applications
Verification Process
All applications go through a 3 step verification process ensuring the Fund makes its decisions based on accurate information.
- Each applicant is required to sign the application, testifying in front of Allah that the information provided to the Fund is accurate.
- The Fund has have case workers with approx. 20 years benefit/welfare assessment experience between ensuring each applicants identification, financial background and circumstances are looked into and verified as thoroughly as possible.
- Applicants are required to provide two references of which one should be a professional. References are contacted by case workers to verify a person’s character and/or financial status.
Only when the above verification checks have been completed to the satisfaction of the Approvals Panel will the Fund make an award.
All new zakat large applications are initially assessed by trained and experienced case officers, followed by the Approvals Panel, which includes a scholar who is well-versed in the juristic rulings of zakat and sadaqah. Before a final decision is made on each application the Panel rigorously examines the case and the submitted evidential documents. Where the Panel requires further information such as filling any financial ‘gaps’ in the applicant’s financial status or background, further questions will be asked, which sometimes includes the need for applicants to submit additional evidence.
Application processing time
Providing the application has been completed and evidential documents have been provided to the satisfaction of the Approvals Panel, the Fund aims to process applications in approx 2-3 weeks.
Unsuccessful applications
If you have had an application rejected by the Fund in the past, you may re-apply after 4 months from the date it was rejected. You will need to provide a clear explanation why you are re-applying and how your situation has changed since your previous application.
Re-applying for additional funds
If you have successfully applied to the Nawaal Fund for support and need to make another application, a new application (together with all supporting documents) must be submitted.
Donations
Are Zakat funds used for the right purposes?
The Fund has a strict policy when using zakat donations entrusted to us. Nawaal Fund’s in house scholars will ensure zakat donated to us will only be used on beneficiaries who are eligible to receive zakat. For those cases or initiatives where Zakat funds are not permissible to be used- the charity will use sadaqah, lillah or gift aid funds.
How can I donate to the Nawaal Fund?
Donations can be made:
- Online via our website – HERE.
- Direct bank transfers our bank details are: Al Rayan Bank, Account holder’s name: Nawaal Benevolence Fund, Sort Code: 30 00 83, Account Number: 01255501.
- Cheques should be made payable to the ‘Nawaal Benevolence Fund’.
Saqaqah and lillah donations
General (sadaqah and lillah) donations are also accepted by the fund. Such funds are used by the charity to provide assistance where zakat funds cannot be used (such pre-zakat emergency awards, awards for those of other faiths, our supermarket/food voucher scheme, etc) . When sadaqah or lillah donations are intended, those whom are donating should ensure they explicitly state that the funds donated are for sadaqah and lillah. If sadaqah or lillah funds are donated via cheque, those donating should write the purpose of the donations clearly at the back of the cheque (or on a separate note/paper accompanying the cheque)- ‘General Sadaqah’. If sadaqah or lillah funds are donated via a direct bank transfer, please request your bank to include a reference of ‘General Sadaqah’. Any funds received not clearly marked as sadadah or lillah will be deemed as zakat and as such, distributed in line with how zakat can be distributed.
Other donations
Besides zakat, general sadaqah/lillah, zakat al-fitr (sadaqat al-fitr), fidyah and kafarah can also be donated to the charity.
Can I donate to a specific project?
At present the Fund does not have any other specific or targeted local projects. Funds are distributed to applicants on a case by case basis. However from time to time, the fund may co-ordinate local community wider projects and initiatives using non-zakat funds to help assist local vulnerable groups such as the homeless, elderly and women’s refuges – from all sections of the community.
Regular donations
To donate on a regular basis please set up a standing order with your bank by downloading and printing our Standing Order Form. The completed form can be emailed to us at admin@nawaal.org
Adding Gift Aid to your donation
If you pay income tax, Nawaal Fund will be able to claim an additional 25% from HMRC on top of your donation at NO cost to you. For example, if you donated £100 the fund will receive an additional £25 from HMRC along with your £100, making the final amount received £125. If you wish to increase your donation in this manner, please state that you wish to provide Gift Aid to your donation.
100% donation policy
100% of all donations will go to zakat/sadqah recipients. No deductions are made for administration or marketing. The Charity’s administrative costs are covered by Gift Aid payments and donations made specifically to cover administration costs.
Receipts for donation
For all donations made in person a receipt will be issued.
If you wish to make a regular donation to the Nawaal Fund please download our standing order form from this link and complete it. Once completed, the form should be emailed back to us.