How to Give Sadaqah in Makkah During Ramadan from the UK

Ramadan is one of the most meaningful times of the year for Muslims to increase generosity and help others. For Muslims living in the UK who want to support people, projects, or charitable causes in Makkah during Ramadan, giving Sadaqah online can make it possible to contribute without travelling to Saudi Arabia.

Sadaqah is voluntary charity and can take many forms. It can include financial donations, helping people in need, providing food, supporting useful projects, and other acts of kindness. When giving from the UK, however, it is important to choose a genuine charitable organisation and understand exactly how the donation will be used.

This guide explains how to give Sadaqah in Makkah during Ramadan from the UK, what to check before donating, and how to make your charitable giving more meaningful and secure.

Can You Give Sadaqah to Makkah From the UK?

Yes, a person living in the UK can donate to a legitimate charitable project serving people in Makkah or the wider Saudi Arabian community.

You do not necessarily need to travel to Makkah to give voluntary charity there. Online charitable services can allow donors to contribute remotely, provided the organisation or fundraising channel is properly authorised and the project is genuine.

For UK donors, the important question is not simply whether a website says that a project is located in Makkah. You should also check who is collecting the money, whether the organisation is legitimate, what the donation supports, and whether the fundraising channel is authorised.

Saudi Arabia's National Center for Non-Profit Sector (NCNPS) provides a public Donate Safely service designed to help verify donation licences and approved collection and marketing channels. The service was updated in September 2026.

 

How to Give Sadaqah in Makkah During Ramadan from the UK

1. Choose a Genuine Charity or Approved Donation Channel

The first step is to find a legitimate organisation or donation service.

During Ramadan, charitable giving increases significantly, which unfortunately can also attract fraudulent appeals. The UK Charity Commission has specifically warned donors about fake charities, fake appeal websites and messages that impersonate genuine organisations during Ramadan.

Before donating, investigate:

• The organisation's full legal name

• Its registration or licence information

• The purpose of the project

• Where donations are being collected

• How the money will be spent

• Whether the donation page belongs to the genuine organisation

Do not assume that a professional-looking website is automatically trustworthy.

2. Look for Ramadan Food and Iftar Projects

One practical way to give Sadaqah in Makkah during Ramadan is to support food-related charitable projects.

Depending on the organisation and its authorised programmes, this may include:

• Iftar meals

• Food parcels

• Meals for people in need

• Food and water distribution

• Support for vulnerable families

Providing food during Ramadan can be a simple and direct way of helping people.

However, check the exact description of the project before donating. A charity should explain what the campaign is designed to accomplish rather than simply using broad phrases such as “Ramadan charity.”

3. Support Water Projects

Water is another important area of charitable giving.

A donor may choose to support a water-related project if a legitimate organisation offers one for the relevant community. Depending on the project, this could involve water distribution, water facilities, or longer-term access to clean water.

If you are specifically searching for Sadaqah Jariyah in Makkah, pay attention to how the project works.

Not every donation described as “Sadaqah Jariyah” automatically has the same characteristics. An ongoing charitable benefit should be explained clearly, including what asset, service or project is expected to continue benefiting people.

4. Give Sadaqah on Behalf of a Deceased Loved One

Another reason people search for how to give Sadaqah in Makkah from the UK is to donate on behalf of a deceased parent, relative, spouse, or friend.

There is authentic evidence that voluntary charity given on behalf of a deceased person can benefit them.

In Sahih al-Bukhari 2756, Sa'd ibn 'Ubadah asked the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ whether giving charity on behalf of his deceased mother would benefit her. The Prophet ﷺ replied yes, and Sa'd then gave his garden in charity on her behalf.

Therefore, if you want to give Sadaqah in memory of a deceased loved one, you can choose a legitimate charitable project and make your intention accordingly.

For example, you might donate toward food, water, education, or another permissible charitable cause.

5. Consider a Sadaqah Jariyah Project

If your goal is lasting charity in Makkah, you may want to explore projects intended to provide continuing benefit.

Sadaqah Jariyah is generally understood as ongoing charity. Islamic teachings mention continuing charity among the deeds whose benefit continues after a person's death.

Possible examples can include projects involving:

• Water

• Beneficial knowledge

• Education

• Community facilities

• Other sustainable charitable initiatives

The exact nature of the project matters. Before donating, read the charity's explanation of how the project operates and why its benefit is expected to continue.

6. Donate Through an Online Platform

For someone living in the UK, online giving is often the most practical option.

A typical process is:

Step 1: Find a legitimate organisation offering an appropriate project.

Step 2: Read the project description carefully.

Step 3: Confirm whether the donation is Sadaqah, Zakat, or another type of contribution.

Step 4: Select your donation amount.

Step 5: If applicable, choose the intention or beneficiary option, such as donating on behalf of a deceased loved one.

Step 6: Complete the payment through the organisation's genuine website or authorised platform.

Step 7: Keep your receipt or confirmation email.

Do not donate simply because an appeal is shared repeatedly on social media. Always verify the source first.

7. Check Saudi Donation Authorisation

If the project is being operated or collected through a Saudi charitable organisation, it is useful to understand the Saudi regulatory system.

The Saudi National Center for Non-Profit Sector's Donate Safely service allows members of the public to check information relating to donation licences and collection or marketing channels.

The NCNPS also provides systems for authorised organisations to obtain and manage fundraising licences. Its current guidance indicates that approved fundraising activities are subject to licensing and regulatory requirements.

This is particularly useful when you encounter a donation campaign claiming to collect money for a project in Makkah.

8. UK Donors Should Check the Charity Too

If a UK-based charity is collecting your donation, you should also check the organisation through the appropriate UK charity regulator.

The Charity Commission's register provides information about registered charities in England and Wales, including their aims, trustees and financial information. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate charity registers.

The Charity Commission recommends checking a charity's registration information and being cautious with unsolicited emails, texts, social-media messages and unfamiliar donation links.

A safe approach is to type the charity's official website address into your browser yourself rather than clicking an unexpected donation link.

9. Sadaqah Does Not Have to Be Large

You do not need to make a large donation to participate in charitable giving during Ramadan.

A small amount given sincerely and within your means can be meaningful. You might choose to:

• Give a small amount every day

• Make one weekly donation

• Sponsor an Iftar

• Support a water project

• Donate on behalf of a loved one

• Combine your contribution with family members

The goal should be sincere charity rather than competing with others over donation amounts.

 

How to Give Sadaqah in Makkah During Ramadan from the UK

Sadaqah or Zakat: Know the Difference

Before donating, make sure you know whether you intend to give Sadaqah or Zakat.

Sadaqah is voluntary charity and generally has broader uses. Zakat is an obligatory form of worship for Muslims who meet its conditions, and it has specific rules concerning calculation and eligible recipients.

If a website allows you to select either Zakat or Sadaqah, choose the correct category according to your intention and circumstances. If you are uncertain about your Zakat obligation or eligibility, consult a qualified scholar.

Is Giving Sadaqah in Makkah During Ramadan Different?

Ramadan is a special month of worship and generosity, and many Muslims choose to increase their charitable giving during it.

However, donors should avoid making unsupported claims about a specific monetary “reward” for a particular donation unless there is reliable Islamic evidence for that claim.

The safest approach is to give sincerely for Allah's sake, help people through legitimate charitable work, and avoid exaggerated promises made by fundraising campaigns.

Final Thoughts

If you are wondering how to give Sadaqah in Makkah during Ramadan from the UK, you do not necessarily need to travel to Saudi Arabia.

You can look for a legitimate charity or authorised donation channel, choose a suitable Ramadan project, make your donation online, and keep confirmation of your contribution. If you are giving on behalf of a deceased loved one, authentic hadith provide evidence for charity given on their behalf.

Most importantly, take time to verify the organisation before donating. UK regulators recommend checking charities and being cautious with unsolicited appeals, while Saudi Arabia provides its own Donate Safely service for checking donation licences and collection channels.

A thoughtful Ramadan donation can be a practical way to help others while turning your generosity into a sincere act of worship.