Like many others, I was keen to learn how one man’s faith, determination, and devotion transformed the entire concept of microfinance in today’s banking system—where returns are calculated before lending, and the growth of wealth is associated with usury, often softly labelled as interest, markup, or service charges. That man is Dr. Amjad Saqib, and the model is Akhuwat.
I wanted to understand the journey of Akhuwat: how this organisation reached 850+ branches across 4 Provinces and 400+ Cities; 6.5M+peole have received Qarz-e-Hasna (interest free loan) so far; 450B rupees interest-free loans provided; 301 schools and colleges opened and educating 47,000+ students; 20,000,+ lives supported for marginalised people and 5M clothes collected and given to the needy people. Can this organisation sustain itself in the long run? Why did Dr. Amjad believe that an interest-free microfinance scheme could succeed in Pakistan? These and many other questions came to my mind.
I found the answers by reading his book, Akhuwat Ka Safar. It was a pleasant coincidence that, as suggested by the title, I read it during my journeys on buses and trains over the past three days and felt as though I was travelling alongside Akhuwat. The book is essentially an account of his journey to the USA, where he participated in an international conference at Harvard University and delivered a lecture on Akhuwat. Written in simple Urdu, it beautifully depicts American history, geography, and the journey of Akhuwat.
The journey of Akhuwat began in March 2001 in Rasool Park, an underdeveloped locality of Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab. There was no formal office, no inauguration ceremony, and no media coverage. For one and a half years, the staff worked in a small wooden cabin. One blazing summer day, they moved to a nearby mosque to escape the heat. The imam offered them space to continue their work, and in the years that followed, mosques became their offices across Pakistan.
In its early years, Akhuwat had only two employees. Later, a small portion of a house owned by a mosque was rented, consisting of just two rooms. Dr. Amjad Saqib, a former CSP officer, worked from a modest, shabby room, bringing furniture from his home to furnish the office. Thus began the journey of Akhuwat.
Dr. Amjad Saqib believes that poverty cannot be eliminated by charging high interest on small loans, but rather through promoting brotherhood—where the rich support the poor. This idea is inspired by Mawakhat-e-Madina, when the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) migrated from Makkah to Madina and the people of Madina supported the migrants as brothers. “Mawakhat” means brotherhood, and this spirit of sharing and compassion forms the foundation of Akhuwat. The word “Akhuwat” itself means brotherhood, reflecting its historical and spiritual roots.
The concept of Akhuwat is universal, transcending race, colour, and religion. Its offices are not limited to mosques; they are also located in churches and temples. Its beneficiaries include Muslims, Christians, Hindus, and Sikhs, and its staff is equally diverse. They all share one mission: to reach the poor and provide interest-free loans so they can start businesses and escape poverty.
The book vividly portrays the suffering of impoverished people while highlighting the sincerity and dedication of those working for Akhuwat. It also shares inspiring stories of generosity and giving in the name of Allah.
From a small wooden cabin with two staff members, Akhuwat has grown to 850+ branches across 4 Provinces and 400+ Cities. Scholars from Oxford to Harvard have been astonished by what many call the “miracle” of Akhuwat. They question how a microfinance system can operate on a 0% interest rate. Yet, it has proven possible. Renowned microfinance expert Professor Malcolm Harper visited Pakistan to witness this model firsthand. At Harvard University, hundreds of scholars gathered to hear Akhuwat’s success story, raising a common question: how sustainable is this model?
Professor Malcolm Harper responded:
“Why should a programme that depends on brotherhood, generosity, and goodwill be any less sustainable than one based purely on financial incentives?”
The purpose of this article is to answer this question in light of the teachings of the Holy Quran and the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and to explain why supporting Akhuwat is both significant and necessary.
The Holy Quran emphasises that true righteousness lies not only in belief but in giving wealth—despite loving it—to relatives, orphans, the needy, and travellers (2:177). It further states that one cannot attain piety without spending from what one loves most (3:92).
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) taught that charity is an obligation upon every individual, and even small acts—such as helping someone, speaking kindly, or removing harm from the road—are considered acts of charity. One might wonder why they should give their hard-earned money to others. The simple answer is to seek the pleasure of Allah and success in the Hereafter.
The Quran assures that whatever is spent in the way of Allah will be rewarded (2:110), and that wealth distribution is part of divine wisdom (42:27). Those who give sincerely from lawful earnings are promised multiplied rewards (2:261), while those who hoard wealth are warned of severe consequences (3:180).
Charity must be given with sincerity, without reminders or injury (2:264), and while public charity can inspire others, giving in secret is better (2:271). The Quran repeatedly highlights that spending in the way of Allah brings immense spiritual and moral rewards.
The teachings also emphasise compassion, humility, and responsibility toward the poor. Neglecting these duties leads to regret in the Hereafter, while helping others brings divine mercy and forgiveness.
The message of Surah Al-Ma’un clearly defines true faith as caring for the orphan and encouraging feeding the poor. It warns against those who pray but neglect social responsibility.
These teachings make it evident that helping the poor is not optional but an essential part of faith. If we ignore them, we risk severe consequences in the Hereafter.
The Akhuwat model is sustainable for two key reasons: first, those who truly love Allah will continue to give in His way; and second, its loan recovery rate is nearly 100%. Despite being based on selflessness rather than material gain, it has proven its strength and viability.
Dr. Amjad Saqib aims to reach 700,000 poor families in Pakistan, and he has already helped 375,159. This is the time for all of us to contribute, so that Akhuwat can support hundreds of thousands more families. This responsibility does not lie solely with Akhuwat or Dr. Amjad Saqib—it is a collective duty.
We must spend in the way of Allah to attain His blessings in this world and the Hereafter. Every contribution matters. Please click on the following link and denote whatever you can afford, every little help counts: http://www.akhuwat.org.pk/how_to_donate.asp