+27 11 373 8000 info@jamiatsa.org Fordsburg, Johannesburg
Latest

Letters of Recommendation

Verifying the legitimacy of fund collectors and charitable institutions so donors can give with confidence that their contributions reach the intended recipients.

About This Service

Protecting Your Charitable Giving

JUSA's Letters of Recommendation service exists to protect donors. Before giving to a fund collector or charitable institution, you should be satisfied that your contribution will be used for the purpose it has been earmarked.

We assess fundraisers' credentials and issue letters to those found to be legitimate. This assessment is done to the best of our ability, and the final decision to donate always rests with the individual donor.

Protect Yourself from Fraud

Always verify a collector's JUSA letter before donating. Fraudulent collectors may carry expired, photocopied or forged letters. When in doubt, call our office or check online.

Quick Verification

Check whether a collector holds a valid, current JUSA Letter of Recommendation via our online portal or by calling our offices.

Or call us directly:

+27 11 373 8000
Types of Funds

Lillah vs Zakaat

A valid JUSA letter specifies which type(s) of charitable funds the bearer is authorised to collect.

Lillah
Voluntary charitable donations (Sadaqah) given for any permissible cause — masjids, schools, welfare, disaster relief and community projects. No minimum amount.
Zakaat
Obligatory annual almsgiving (2.5% of qualifying wealth) that must be distributed to specific categories of recipients as prescribed by Shariah. Not all collectors are authorised to receive Zakaat.
Authentication Guide

How to Identify a Valid Letter

A genuine JUSA Letter of Recommendation must have all of the following features.

Original Document Only
Photocopies are NOT acceptable. Only the original letter issued by JUSA is valid. Reject any collector presenting a photocopy or scan.
Arabic Embossed Seal
A raised (embossed) Arabic seal must appear at the bottom of the letter, adjacent to the authorised signature. This cannot be photocopied or digitally reproduced.
Red-Ink Expiry Date
A red-ink expiry date must appear in the bottom right corner. Do not donate to collectors whose letter has passed its expiry date.
Fund Types Specified
The letter must clearly specify which funds the bearer is authorised to collect — Lillah, Zakaat, or both. A collector without Zakaat authorisation cannot receive Zakaat.
Bearer Identity Details
The collector's full name and ID or passport number must appear on the letter. Verify that these match the collector's identification document before donating.
For Organisations & Collectors

Apply for a Letter of Recommendation

Registered charitable organisations and verified collectors may apply for a JUSA Letter of Recommendation. All applications are subject to assessment and vetting.

Applications are reviewed by our committee. You will be contacted regarding next steps.

Letters of Recommendation Department

+27 11 373 8000
info@jamiatsa.org
Online verification portal
Monday – Friday, 08:00 – 16:30