Donation Motivations of Muslims Living in Non-Islamic Countries: Empirical Evidence from France and Germany

Abstract

Philanthropic giving is one of the major obligations that Muslims are expected to fulfill in Islamic religiosity. However, whether the country of residence is an Islamic country might be effective in shaping donation behaviors. Accordingly, this study aims to explore the key donation motivations of Muslims living in non-Islamic countries (France and Germany). To do this, in-depth interviews were conducted with 23 faithful Muslims regularly making donations. The dynamics of religiosity and its role in donating were considered while analyzing the data with the qualitative content analysis. The findings indicate the five motivations in which religiosity manifests itself in the context of donation: relief of suffering, fear of being needy, seeking forgiveness in the afterdeath, desire for self-satisfaction, and fear of being missed out. The study discusses implications for both theory and practice.