The American Muslim Community Foundation’s Women’s Giving Circle recently hosted an inspiring virtual book celebration that highlighted a crucial conversation in our community: how Muslim women can build wealth while staying true to Islamic principles and creating lasting charitable impact.
The event celebrated “Prosperity with Purpose: A Muslim Women’s Guide to Abundance and Generosity” by Nausheena Hussain, a comprehensive resource addressing the unique financial challenges Muslim women face in America. This groundbreaking book represents more than financial advice—it’s a call to action for Muslim women’s financial empowerment rooted in Islamic values and community impact.
Breaking Financial Barriers for Muslim Women
During the celebration, author Nausheena Hussain shared her journey of writing a book specifically for Muslim women, by Muslim women. “I read so many books on personal finance,” Hussain explained. “They’re all written by white men for white people, not for us. That was a big thing for me—to be able to have a book out there for us, by us, with stories that would resonate with our community.”
This perspective addresses a critical gap in financial literature. Most personal finance resources don’t account for the unique circumstances Muslim women navigate: Sharia-compliant investing requirements, zakat calculations, cultural expectations around money management, and the intersection of Islamic principles with American financial systems.
The Research Behind the Need
Hussain’s research revealed compelling connections between personal financial stability and nonprofit leadership effectiveness among Muslim women. “There is a real correlation with Muslim women who run nonprofits or are part of nonprofit organization leadership,” she noted. “If they are financially stable with their own personal finances, they actually run nonprofits better, understand the finances of their nonprofits better.”
This research underscores why Muslim women’s financial empowerment extends beyond individual benefit—it strengthens the entire ecosystem of Muslim-led charitable organizations and community initiatives.
From Personal Finance to Philanthropic Impact
The book’s approach integrates wealth building with generous giving, reflecting Islamic teachings about prosperity being a trust (amana) rather than just personal achievement. “I don’t want us to just become financially literate,” Hussain emphasized. “I also want us to become wealthy and build our civil society, build our communities, make the world a better place.”
This philosophy aligns perfectly with the Women’s Giving Circle’s mission of harnessing the power of American Muslim women through collective giving. The synergy between individual financial empowerment and community philanthropy creates a compound effect—as women become more financially secure, they can contribute more significantly to charitable causes and nonprofit leadership.
Practical Strategies for Real Challenges
“Prosperity with Purpose” addresses practical challenges Muslim women face, from calculating zakat on gold jewelry to navigating halal investing options. During the celebration, participants discussed real-world applications:
Zakat Responsibility: Hussain shared her personal journey of learning to calculate zakat independently rather than relying on her husband. “I realize, of course, taking classes at Rabata is understanding how zakat is also an obligation for me personally, not to just push it off on my husband, but really to understand what is Nisab, who gets and receives zakat.”
Gold as Investment: The discussion highlighted how gold jewelry, common in many Muslim cultures, represents both cultural tradition and financial security. “Gold is what we received as gifts whether we’re getting married, having any kind of celebration,” Hussain noted, explaining how this traditional practice actually provides financial protection and liquidity.
Halal Investing Evolution: Participants discussed how the landscape for Sharia-compliant investing has dramatically improved, with more tools and resources now available to help Muslim women build wealth according to Islamic principles.
Building Generational Impact
The book emphasizes that Muslim women’s financial empowerment creates ripple effects across generations. Hussain dedicated the book to her mother, reflecting on how immigrant parents often sacrifice everything while modeling generosity and financial resilience.
“All of us have moms that sacrifice everything for us,” she shared. “But then I also talk about how I learned generosity, how I learned to give back to the community is through the things that I saw her doing.”
This generational perspective connects individual financial growth with community building and charitable giving—core elements of the Women’s Giving Circle approach.
Teaching the Next Generation
The celebration addressed how to engage children in financial literacy and charitable giving from an early age. “We need to start them young,” Hussain emphasized. “We need to help them understand money and giving at a very young age. And sometimes we model that behavior too.”
This approach ensures that Muslim women’s financial empowerment becomes a lasting community asset, with knowledge and values transferred to future generations.
The Women’s Giving Circle Connection
The Women’s Giving Circle exemplifies how individual empowerment translates into collective impact. Over four years, circle members have collectively raised and distributed $41,000 to six nonprofits supporting Muslim women in leadership and community service.
The circle’s approach mirrors the book’s philosophy: start where you are, contribute what you can, and grow both individually and collectively. Membership begins at just $5 monthly, with voting membership at $35 monthly, making participation accessible while building toward significant collective impact.
Current Initiatives and Future Growth
The 2025 nomination cycle recently closed with 17 amazing nominees, demonstrating the growing ecosystem of organizations serving Muslim women and communities. The annual award announcement takes place at AMCF’s Annual Symposium and Muslim Philanthropy Awards, connecting individual giving with sector-wide recognition and growth.
Recent grantees include the Muslim Legal Fund, the All Community Services, and Pillars of Peace—organizations addressing critical needs while advancing Muslim women’s leadership and community impact.
Beyond Individual Success
The book celebration highlighted how Muslim women’s financial empowerment serves broader purposes than individual wealth accumulation. When Muslim women achieve financial stability and literacy, they:
- Lead nonprofit organizations more effectively
- Contribute more significantly to charitable causes
- Model financial responsibility and generosity for their children
- Strengthen the overall Muslim philanthropic ecosystem
- Create sustainable funding for community initiatives
This perspective transforms financial literacy from personal development into community investment, aligning with Islamic principles about wealth as stewardship rather than ownership.
Addressing Unique Challenges
The discussion acknowledged specific barriers Muslim women face: financial advisors who ignore women in mixed-gender sessions, lack of Sharia-compliant investment options, cultural taboos around women discussing money, and limited resources addressing the intersection of Islamic principles with American financial systems.
“I think women really need somebody to help them get through that process,” Hussain observed about halal investing. “And back then, there were no Sharia portfolios. There were no AMCFs. There were no organizations that helped us put all these pieces of the puzzle together.”
Creating Sustainable Change
The celebration emphasized that Muslim women’s financial empowerment requires both individual action and community support. The Women’s Giving Circle provides a framework for collective action, while resources like “Prosperity with Purpose” offer practical guidance for individual financial growth.
This dual approach addresses both the practical aspects of financial literacy and the cultural and spiritual dimensions of wealth building within Islamic frameworks. The result is sustainable change that benefits individuals, families, and communities.
Looking Forward
The conversation acknowledged that financial empowerment is an ongoing journey rather than a destination. Hussain noted that “Prosperity with Purpose” represents “the first edition,” with plans for expanded content based on feedback and continued learning.
Similarly, the Women’s Giving Circle continues evolving its approach to collective giving, member engagement, and nonprofit support. This growth mindset ensures that Muslim women’s financial empowerment initiatives remain relevant and effective as community needs change.
Join the Movement
The book celebration demonstrated the power of combining individual financial growth with collective charitable action. Muslim women across America are building wealth, supporting nonprofits, and creating lasting community impact through strategic approaches to money and generosity.
The Women’s Giving Circle offers an accessible entry point into this movement. Whether you’re just beginning your financial empowerment journey or ready to amplify your charitable impact through collective giving, the circle provides community, resources, and opportunities for meaningful engagement.
Getting Involved
Joining the Women’s Giving Circle connects you with Muslim women who understand that prosperity serves purposes beyond individual benefit. Members participate in monthly educational webinars, nominate organizations for funding consideration, and vote on grantmaking decisions that support Muslim women’s leadership and community service.
The circle’s approach makes sophisticated philanthropy accessible: start with what you can contribute, learn from other members’ experiences, and grow your impact through collective action. This model reflects the book’s core message—financial empowerment amplifies generous giving, and generous giving strengthens communities.
The Bigger Picture
Muslim women’s financial empowerment represents more than personal development—it’s community infrastructure investment. When Muslim women achieve financial literacy, build wealth according to Islamic principles, and engage in strategic charitable giving, they strengthen the entire ecosystem of Muslim-led organizations and initiatives.
The Women’s Giving Circle embodies this vision, creating space for Muslim women to combine individual growth with collective impact. Through member contributions, strategic grantmaking, and ongoing education, the circle demonstrates how financial empowerment translates into community empowerment.
Whether you’re inspired by “Prosperity with Purpose,” interested in halal investing strategies, or motivated to amplify your charitable impact through collective giving, the Women’s Giving Circle offers community and opportunity for meaningful engagement.
Ready to join Muslim women building wealth and creating charitable impact? Explore the Women’s Giving Circle and discover how your contribution—starting at just $5 monthly—becomes part of collective giving that strengthens Muslim women’s leadership and community service.
Interested in learning more about strategic Muslim philanthropy? Contact us at info@amuslimcf.org to explore donor advised funds, endowment options, and other ways to maximize your charitable impact.