Non-compassionate care: a view from an Islamic charity organization

Drawing on fieldwork at a large charity organization in Cairo, this article describes bureaucratized Islamic ethics of care. Founded 1975, the Mustafa Mahmoud Association today offers free and discounted medical services, funds micro-projects, provides financial support to about 10,000 families each year. The bulk that comes from donors’ private donations form obligatory voluntary alms (zakāt sadaqa). By taking close look three offices—the donation, intake, disbursement office—I untangle regime care shapes daily transactions organization. In particular I highlight significant gap between “caring for” about.” Donors view caring for those need as duty frequently frame their calculative terms, way “trading with God.” Less central is language empathy or compassion. While seemingly careless care-less? Careless means not careful, sloppy. caremight seem cold heartless, suggest it powerful alternative liberal illusion “compassion.”