The Islamic concept of humanitarianism and the principles of justice and equality on which it is based have inspired humanitarian practice in the Muslim world for the last 1400 years.  This document presents a brief historical overview of this activity and in doing so demonstrates the importance of humanitarian principles in Islam and the contribution they can make to modern humanitarian approaches. Reliant on historical documentation, the document focuses on the development and role of zakat and sadaqah and details the humanitarian activity of prominent Muslim rulers.

Zakat is the third pillar of Islam and requires Muslims to donate a portion of their wealth every year to the poor and needy. Zakat collections began during the Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) time and have since been treated as a form of tax or alms in Muslim societies to mitigate social injustice and inequality. While Muslim states no longer take responsibility for the collection of zakat, in many Muslim countries,  the collection of zakat from those wishing to pay it is managed through  government regulated zakat committees.

Sadaqah, although highly encouraged in the Quran, is not obligatory and Muslims are free to perform sadaqah as and when they choose. Much of the historical evidence of sadaqah relates to the activities of prominent Muslim rulers. From this evidence it is clear that the welfare of their subjects appears to have been a key priority for these rulers, illustrated by their regular charitable giving after Friday prayers and during Ramadan and their response to famines both at home and abroad.

One of the most influential and most documented forms of sadaqah is a charitable endowment known as waqf. Since the practice was initiated by the Prophet (pbuh), the return from the investment of waqf has been a vital source of funding for a wide range of public services and welfare activities such as hospitals, schools, mosques and public soup kitchens. Such is the fervour with which Muslims continue the practice of waqf today; many Muslim majority states have a ministry within their administration to manage waqf.

By presenting a brief history of humanitarian practice in the Muslim world, this document highlights the centrality and importance of humanitarian principles in Islam and the impact they have had on the Muslim world for the last 1400 years. Furthermore the evidence presented suggests that Islamic principles of social justice and equality can continue to enrich modern approaches to humanitarianism.