Search

Arraiyan DuBose

Arraiyan DuBose

Arraiyan DuBose Arraiyan DuBose is a Content Developer at The Family & Youth Institute. She holds a Bachelor’s in Film and Media Arts from Temple University and has worked on narrative and documentary projects highlighting stories of underrepresented groups. She holds a TEFL certificate from The Council of International Educational Exchange with plans to pursue an MSc […]

Fizza Humayun

Fizza Humayun

Our Team Back to Team Fizza Humayun Fizza Humayun is the Project Manager for the Supporting Older Muslims Canton, MI project at The Family and Youth Institute. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in Marketing from Baruch College, CUNY, and an M.Ed. in Learning Design & Technology from Wayne State University. […]

Samreen Hussain

Samreen Hussain

Our Team Back to Team Samreen Hussain My name is Samreen and I’m a Marketing and Management major who is especially passionate about the Muslim Non-Profit space. In my personal time I enjoy trying new food and coffee shops in Houston, where I reside. I write poetry and novels in my free time and one […]

Afnan Shebib

Afnan Shebib

Our Team Back to Team Afnan Shebib is a Program Administrator at The Family and Youth Institute. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She has experience in fundraising campaign management and support and has previously worked in customer experience and primary education.  Afnan is committed to youth empowerment […]

Sana Ansari

Sana Ansari

Our Team Back to Team Sana Ansari is Marketing Support at The Family and Youth Institute. She has a Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from San Jose State University. She began her journey at The FYI as a Marketing Intern and has previous experience in editing and social media marketing. Sana is committed […]

Nayyer Siddiqi

Nayyer Siddiqi

Our Team Back to Team Nayyer Siddiqi currently assists The Family and Youth Institute as a Legal Advisor. Nayyer has been practicing intellectual property and patent law for the last 15 years. She graduated with a law degree from Wayne State University in 2004 and also holds a graduate degree in physics. Nayyer is active […]

Saara Patel

Saara Patel

Our Team Back to Team Saara Patel is a Community Specialist with The Family and Youth Institute. She holds a Master’s of Social Work from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and a Bachelor’s in Finance from Benedictine University in Lisle, IL. She currently serves as a school social worker in the Plymouth-Canton School […]

Zakat eligibility of The FYI

The Family & Youth Institute, or The FYI, is a well-known Muslim organization in the United States. It works to promote mental health and wellness by strengthening and empowering individuals, families, and communities through research and education. It has been working for many years to bring Islamic perspectives to understanding and promoting mental health in our communities.

It is dedicated to serving and supporting Muslims – safeguarding our deen, our families, and our future generations. Therefore, the work of The FYI comes in the category of ‘fi sabeelillah’ or the Path of Allah, within the eight categories where Zakat money can be used.

Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed for it and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah, and for the [stranded] traveler – an obligation [imposed] by Allah, And Allah, is Knowing and Wise.”
(Al-Tawbah 9:60)

According to scholars who widen the meaning of fee sabeelillah to include any activities that promote Islamic growth, The FYI is indeed eligible to receive part of the Zakat funds for its programs and services. I urge Muslims in America to support this organization through their donations, general charity, and through their Zakat. I ask Allah swt to strengthen and guide The FYI to continue its good work in supporting Muslims.

Shaikh Ali Suleiman Ali, PhD

About Shaikh Ali

Sh. Ali Suleiman Ali was born in Ghana where he spent his childhood studying with various Muslim scholars. He then moved to Saudi Arabia and enrolled in the Islamic University of Madina.  He graduated with a degree in both Arabic and Islamic Studies. Dr. Ali went on to complete his Ph.D. in Islamic Studies at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Sh. Ali serves on the Advisory Council of The Family & Youth Institute. He is the Senior Imam and Director of the Muslim Community of Western Suburbs in Canton, Michigan. Additionally, he serves as the Director of Muslim Family Services in Detroit and is a council member of the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA). He is also a member of the North American Imams Federation (NAIF) and the Association of Muslim Jurists of America (AMJA).