Shariah Ruling on Aid and Membership of Welfare Organizations
Reference: Fatāwā Muḥammadiyyah, Vol. 1, Page 215
❖ Question
In the northern areas and Chitral, followers of Aga Khanism provide financial assistance to poor and needy people under the banner of organizations like the Aga Khan Foundation and Aga Khan Support Program. In return, they offer membership in their organizations and spend large amounts for this purpose.
Is it permissible, in the light of Qur’an and Sunnah, to accept such aid and membership from these organizations?
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
Human life is a great blessing of Allah. Its true value lies in living according to Islamic principles. A life spent in disobedience to Allah becomes a curse instead of a blessing.
One of the golden principles of Islam is:
- Cooperation in righteousness and piety
- Avoidance of cooperation in sin and falsehood
Qur’anic Guidance
Allah says:
﴿وَتَعاوَنوا عَلَى البِرِّ وَالتَّقوىٰ ۖ وَلا تَعاوَنوا عَلَى الإِثمِ وَالعُدوٰنِ ﴿٢﴾ (al-Mā’idah: 2)
"Cooperate with one another in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and transgression."
Activities of Aga Khan Organizations
When viewed under this Qur’anic principle, it becomes clear that:
- These organizations spend in the name of welfare but use it to spread false beliefs and deviant ideologies among Muslims.
- By giving aid, they secure membership and loyalty, gradually influencing people towards their batil (false) creed.
- Accepting their aid or membership is equivalent to assisting in evil and falsehood, which is strictly prohibited in Shariah.
Qur’anic Analogy
Allah declared even those things unlawful whose harms outweigh their benefits:
﴿قُل فيهِما إِثمٌ كَبيرٌ وَمَنـٰفِعُ لِلنّاسِ وَإِثمُهُما أَكبَرُ مِن نَفعِهِما﴾ (al-Baqarah: 219)
"In them (wine and gambling) is great sin and [some] benefit for people. But their sin is greater than their benefit."
Prophetic Guidance
When both good and harm are present in a matter, the Prophet ﷺ advised to choose the path of precaution. (Mishkāt, Bāb al-Liʿān)
Conclusion
- Accepting aid and membership from Aga Khan Foundation and similar organizations is haram and impermissible.
- Such involvement helps spread false beliefs and un-Islamic agendas.
- Muslims must avoid these organizations.
- It is also the duty of the Islamic government to stop these anti-Islamic activities to protect simple-hearted Muslims from misguidance.
ھذا ما عندی واللہ أعلم بالصواب
