He Who Gives to the Poor, Lends to Allah: Analyzing Individual Motives for Muslim Philanthropy in Japan

Abstract

Despite the small population of Muslims residing in Japan, Islam has been successfully organized throughout the country. One of the most remarkable activities among Muslims in the country is their enthusiasm for engaging in philanthropy. What motivates the altruistic behavior of Muslim migrants? In this study, we analyze the motives of individual Muslims who gather at the Otsuka Mosque in Tokyo, which is known for its volunteer activities. We examine the principles that guide philanthropy, using theories from migration studies and Islamic studies, and construct a typology that includes four elements: “enforceable trust” and “bounded solidarity” (from migration studies), as well as “compassion” and “giving to God” (from Islamic studies). These findings have been gathered from our fieldwork and interviews with Muslim volunteers at the Otsuka mosque: (a) Giving to God was the most fundamental motive for philanthropy, and (b) enforceable trust and bounded solidarity had limited power to explain philanthropy, which suggests the inadequacy of migration studies in explaining Muslim philanthropy.