Hardship-grant / zakāt emergency fund
Evaluates the provision of a hardship or Zakāt fund for urgent aid. This reflects *Iḥsān* (excellence) by establishing a vital safety net for stakeholders in crisis. Rooted in the principle of *Takaful* (mutual solidarity), such funds directly support the *Maqasid al-Shari'ah* (objectives of Islamic law) by ensuring *Hifz al-Nafs* (preservation of life) and protecting human dignity during severe distress. A structured, confidential process ensures timely relief, reinforcing community trust and fulfilling a core Islamic social responsibility.
| Metric | Emergency grant timeliness & quality |
|---|---|
| Target | P1: median ≤48h; P2: median ≤5 working days; 90th %ile P1 ≤72h |
| Frequency | Quarterly |
| Method | Median/90th %ile time (receipt to funds); secondary metrics for equity/repeats |
| Unit | Hours/Days |
Level 1: Initial/Ad-hoc
Ad-hoc Support: No formal fund exists. Emergency financial support is provided reactively and inconsistently, based on individual requests and available resources.
Level 2: Developing
Informal Fund: A basic, informal fund or mechanism is in place. A designated person or group handles requests, but processes are undocumented, lack formal segregation of Zakāt, and miss key compliance controls (sanctions/conflicts).
Level 3: Established
Established Process: A formal hardship/zakāt fund is established with a documented policy, dual authorisation, and basic sanctions screening. Zakāt and Sadaqah are segregated. A clear, confidential application process is defined and consistently followed.
Level 4: Advanced
Managed & Measured: The fund is governed by a formal committee with a Delegated Authority Matrix. Performance is measured (KPIs), data protection is robust (DPIA/retention), and segregation is fully operationalised in accounts.
Level 5: Optimizing
Optimizing & Proactive: The fund is a core component of a proactive stakeholder welfare strategy. Data is used to anticipate needs (equity analysis). The process is benchmarked, integrates with root-cause support, and embodies the highest principles of Iḥsān.
Organisation Types
By Organisation Size
| Size | Applicability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Micro | partial | Formal delegated authority matrices and DPIAs are disproportionate; basic ledger segregation of Zakāt and simple approval rules are sufficient. |
| Small | partial | Requires clear fund segregation and documented approval thresholds, but complex matrices and formal DPIAs can be scaled down. |
| Medium | full | |
| Large | full | |
| Major | full |
Applicable When
- The organization collects and distributes Zakāt or Sadaqah.
- The organization serves a community with potential financial needs.
- The organization has a mission to provide community welfare.
Not Applicable When
- The organization has no involvement in charitable activities.
- The organization's sole purpose is commercial and does not include any form of social welfare.
Related Criteria
Discussion (1)
📋 **Version updated: 1.0.0 → 2.9.7** **Changes:** Updated islamic_references from mizan-297.json
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