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91% of Imams in Africa Can't Afford to Live: Your Zakah is Their Lifeline!

With your Zakah, you have the power to break the cycle of poverty, hardship, and suffering of Imams. It is more than just aid; it's a lifeline.

Your Zakah is an Imams Lifeline: Be Their Lifesaver

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: “Whoever relieves a Muslim of a burden from the burdens of the world, Allah will relieve him of a burden from the burdens on the Day of Judgement. And whoever helps ease a difficulty in the world, Allah will grant him ease from a difficulty in the world and in the Hereafter.” Jami` at-Tirmidhi

Picture this: You are the Imam of a Masjid in rural Malawi. You studied for 7 years under great scholars in South Africa. You are unapologetically passionate about Islam and preserving Islam. You have a beautiful family. A wife and three children. Your parents are your dependents too. Like every parent, you want nothing but the best for them. You are the community's hero. You are their leader. When they need support, there is no doubt who they will turn to. When they are hungry, you offer them everything you have. When a child becomes an orphan, you take them in. You are an Imam. You are the heir of the Prophet ﷺ to them. You know the responsibility is great.

Unfortunately, you only earn $30 a month.

$30 a month to take care of your every need. Your parents every need. Your children's every need. Your community's every need. You live in one of the hungriest, poorest countries in the world. You are expected to be a pillar of strength, a guiding light, an advisor, a mentor, and a role model. 

You have lofty dreams and aspirations. You dream of completing a university degree, owning a means of transport, paying school fees on time, fixing your mother's house roof, beautifying your Madrassah with essentials like a chalkboard and charts, and most importantly, you dream of performing Hajj one day.

Their expenses are far greater than their income. Sadly, Imams are not subject to salary increases or performance bonuses. They get what they get, and sadly, they don't have a say in it.

Solution: Monthly Assistance of $108 

The Imam Development Program provides Imams from South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, , Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Sierra Leone with a comprehensive package. The most important part of the package is the lifesaving monthly assistance of $108 as a top-up to their salaries. This aims to provide vital support by bridging the gap in their income. 

The Harsh Reality. How can an Imam survive and thrive under these circumstances?

How Imams Spend Their $108 Stipend a Month.

The Enormous Role of an Imam

The Enormous Benefits of The Stipend to an Imam

For many, this monthly stipend is a lifesaver.

Muallimah Noeroenisa Abrahams, 'I cried out of relief'.

"Alhamdulillah, my IDP stipend helped me pay my son's enrollment fee. Fees were due, and I had absolutely nothing. And my stipend reflected along with my Student's Guild 100% bonus, and I cried out of relief that my son's space in school was secured. I immediately made a direct deposit to the school."

Imam Maulidy Ramadhani Juma, 'The IDP stipend really saw me through.'

“One day, my mom called me at midnight, and she told me someone in our family had passed away, and his boy was still in the hospital. She had to pay some money, totaling $120. I sent my stipend to her, and we succeeded in taking him from the hospital to bury him. It was a difficult time, and the IDP stipend really saw me through.”

Imam Aboobakr Edward Yakiti, 'The stipend is our everything.'

“For several months, I have not been given a salary at our organization; the stipend is our everything. I remember when my wife was sick and was admitted to a hospital in Zambia. I didn't have any money, but, Alhamdulillah, through the IDP stipend, I managed to pay the hospital bill.”

​​For some, it’s the start of a new life.

Imam Hussein Douglas, 'I am paying school fees for two needy Muslim students.'

"I saved my stipend and used it to start an Irish potato farming business. I also used it to top up my Airtel Money/Mpamba Agent business. I am paying school fees for two needy Muslim students at the secondary school level. And I also saved my stipend and bought appliances for my house."

Imam Arab Phiri, ‘I saved my stipend and bought a new wardrobe.’

“I saved my stipend and bought a new wardrobe, a two-plate stove, 350 solar panels, an inverter, a controller, and a mattress. Also, I applied for a housing residential stand of 250 square centimeters, in which every month I paid $100 for a period of 24 months, Alhamdulillah.”

Meet Imam Rajab Makande, ‘I saved my stipend for a period of seven months and managed to buy my own land.’

"I saved my stipend for a period of seven months and managed to buy my own land, even though it has not been built yet. I say, Alhamdulillah for that. Through my stipend, my wife started a small-scale business selling snacks. My stipend is also used to motivate very hardworking Madrassah students by buying them sweets, holding hifz competitions for different Madrassahs, and gifting the top students. Through my stipend, I have been dividing part of it and putting it into Dawah activities, using it for transportation like hiring motorbikes or cars to reach very far places."

For others, it’s the opportunity to give back to the community they call home.

Imam Jameel Muhammad from Kulunda, Malawi.

"I have been able to buy a solar electricity system for our Masjid through my stipend."

Imam Haroon Timothy Siyongo from Keetmanshoop, Namibia. 

“My wife and I have a soup kitchen where we feed the needy and less fortunate in the township once or twice a week.”

Muallimah Habeebah Kasigala Fazili from Namwera, Malawi.

"I used my stipend to buy some hijabs for my Maddrassa students as a way of encouraging them to wear Islamic clothing, for there are some who cannot afford to buy them on their own."

Imam Seleman Phiri from Kitwe, Zambia.

“We started a youth program as well as buying urgent cleaning supplies for the Masjid and donating some food items to the prisons using our stipend.”

Imam Shariffu Maulana Mudiye from Blantyre, Malawi.

“I bought kaffans to help people during funerals because there are none.”

For many, it’s an opportunity for them to be the hand that gives, too.

Imam Ismail Maduka from Kadoma, Malawi. 

"I started giving $10 of my stipend as sadaqah every month."

Muallimah Ghouwa Charles from Western Cape, South Africa. 

“I use a portion of it every month towards what I need in my feeding scheme, Alhamdulillah.”

Imam Imran Yona Phiri from Ndola, Zambia. 

“I saved my stipend and bought clothes and blankets for my community of elderly women who are over 70 years old. Alhamdulillah.”

And for others, it’s being able to make their every dream come true.

Imam Abdulrahmaan Yusufu Ngalawango from Mwanza, Malawi. 

“The food I provide for my family is now better than in the past. The furniture of the house and the comfort of our lives are better than in the past. A big thing to me was that, from the very beginning, I didn't have a single chair in my house, but with this stipend, I have bought very good and beautiful chairs. Everything has changed, Alhamdulillah.”

Imam Tatenda Tichivangani from Masvingo. 

"I saved my stipend for several months, and then I bought a car."

Imam Abdullah Abuubakar Suleimani from Tanga, Tanzania.

“I used to sleep in the Masjid with nothing, but now I rent a house. And Alhamdulillah, I'm planning to marry. I did not have that plan before.”

Meet some of the Imams and Muallimahs whose lives have changed through the stipend.

Meet Muallimah Shamimah Molefi from Maseru, Lesotho

"Before I joined the IDP, it was a bit hard with the salary I was getting. Sometimes during the middle month, I'd be broke and have to borrow money for transport and other things, but alhamdulillah, now it helps me a lot in every way possible. Because my siblings aren't working, I'm able to take care of 3 families. Alhamdulillah, I'm able to take good care of my family as well. I'm able to help the Muslims around me. Before joining IDP, sometimes it would be difficult to help when someone needed help, but now, Alhamdulillah, I am able to help where I can."

Meet Imam Wahana Amos from Chinhoyi

"Right now, my kids don't have any problem going to school; they are able to go to school with fully packed lunch boxes and also carry some money with them. And also, I'm able to buy my medication for blood pressure every month because this type of medication was so expensive, but right now I can afford it because of the stipend that I get from IDP."

Meet Imam John Masamba from Kitwe, Zambia

“Despite being an Imam and Ustadh for a long time and doing wonderful work in the path of Allah, I remained a pathetic Imam financially until IDP came to my rescue. I was very poor, but with the existence of IDP in my life, Alhamdulillah my financial status has completely changed. Now I am able to support my family, my parents, my relatives, and poor people better than ever. In many things, I was behind, but with IDP, my life will never be the same. IDP has enhanced my knowledge capacity. I am the holder of certificates and diplomas in various subjects through CPD (Continuous Professional Development) training courses courtesy of the IDP.”

Make a commitment today: Be an Imam Lifesaver.

Your Zakat is more than just a donation; it's a lifeline for Imams facing daunting circumstances. With your support, you have the power to break the cycle of debt, poverty, and stress that many Imams endure. Your Zakat doesn't just sustain them; it empowers them to become the true community heroes they are meant to be.

About the Imam Development Program

The Imam Development Program is dedicated to preserving the deen through the cultivation of exemplary Imams. Our mission is to inspire and empower Imams to become effective community leaders through an exceptional support program thereby uplifting their communities and fostering positive change.

Over the past decade, the Imam Development Program has made a significant impact, directly improving the lives of over 590 Imams across 14 countries, including South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Malawi, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Tanzania, Mozambique, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Sierra Leone. Through tailored support and training initiatives, we have witnessed tangible transformations within communities, with Imams playing a pivotal role in promoting unity, education, and improved well-being.

Our commitment extends beyond individual development; we believe in the collective power of communities. By nurturing strong, compassionate leaders, we aim to create ripple effects that will be felt for generations to come across borders on a global scale.

As we look to the future, we remain steadfast in our mission to cultivate exceptional, visionary Imams who will continue to lead with integrity, compassion, and dedication to the betterment of their communities.

Imam Development Program is a registered non-profit organization (2009/016746/08)/ PBO (930057429). All contributions towards this initiative are zakat eligible and tax-deductible.

Learn more about the Imam Development Program at www.imamdp.org or reach out to us at info@imamdp.org

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