Respected scholars have concluded that Zakat may support certain intellectual, research, and community-serving efforts when that work protects and advances the interests of Muslims.

A fatwa from the Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America (AMJA) addresses whether Zakat may be given to an American nonprofit that gathers detailed information about Muslim communities through surveys and research and makes that information available to the public, think tanks, and policymakers. The fatwa explains that many contemporary scholars understand the Zakat category fi sabilillah (“for the cause of Allah”) to include efforts that protect the interests of Muslims, including intellectual and related work. It concludes that research organizations doing this type of work may be eligible to receive Zakat when their work serves those objectives.

ISPU is a non-partisan, non-religious research and education organization founded by the American Muslim community. ISPU produces rigorous research that helps American Muslim communities understand their needs, strengthen their institutions, protect their rights, and ensure that decisions affecting them are informed by evidence rather than assumptions. 

For example, ISPU research:

• Helps mosques and community institutions improve how they serve youth, women, converts, and other members of their communities.

• Equips healthcare providers with data and recommendations to provide more equitable and culturally responsive care to Muslim patients.

• Provides educators and schools with research-based guidance on accommodating Muslim students and protecting them from bullying and discrimination.

• Documents the contributions of American Muslims to American society and provides credible information that counters stereotypes and misinformation.

• Measures and contextualizes Islamophobia and anti-Muslim bigotry, including through ISPU’s Islamophobia Index, giving community leaders, advocates, journalists, and policymakers evidence they can use to understand and address discrimination.

• Studies civic engagement, policy priorities, and the experiences of American Muslims, helping community organizations and decision-makers better understand and respond to the needs of Muslim communities.

In this way, ISPU’s research serves as infrastructure for the American Muslim community: producing credible knowledge that Muslim institutions, advocates, policymakers, educators, healthcare providers, journalists, and others can use to improve conditions for American Muslims.

ISPU identifies donations designated as Zakat and directs those funds toward Zakat-eligible research and dissemination activities that directly serve and advance the interests of American Muslims. Zakat-designated funds support the production and distribution of research, data, tools, and resources that strengthen Muslim communities, address discrimination and Islamophobia, and equip institutions and decision-makers to better serve American Muslims. Zakat donations are not used to support fundraising efforts, professional development, or other administrative needs. 

ISPU collaborates with a variety of organizations, scholars, and communities in pursuit of our mission to provide objective research and education about American Muslims to support well-informed dialogue and decision-making. We aim to work with and learn from others in this space, while we maintain our independence as a research institution. ISPU staff and scholars are solely responsible for their conclusions, and the opinions expressed are that of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of ISPU.

ISPU solicits and gratefully accepts current and deferred gifts from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government agencies that are consistent with its mission and that support its general operations, core programs, as well as special projects. 

Contributions to ISPU, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity, are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. ISPU’s tax EIN is 38-3633581. Contributions to ISPU are also zakat-eligible. ISPU encourages the solicitation and acceptance of gifts to the organization for purposes that will help the Organization fulfill its mission.