Introduction. All praise is due to Allah who has favoured us above many of His creatures. Allah says: "if you are to count the favours of Allah on you, you can not enumerate them" (Qur'an 16:18). "Which of your Lord's favour will you (men) and you (jinn) deny" (Qur'an 55:13).
Fellow believers, being less privileged is a trial from Allah. He said: "And it is He who has made you generations coming after generations, replacing each other on the earth. And He has raised you in ranks, some above others that He may test you in that which He has bestowed on you." (Qur'an 6:165).
Our history. Al-Ansor Trust Fund (ATF) is an organisation of Muslims that was formed in April 2000 when Allah (SWT) inspired some then Muslim students in the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, to think of how they could contribute towards lessening the burden of the less privileged.
Our stand. This organisation is a non-governmental organisation with the following stands:
- The basis is spiritual.
- It is a life-long affair.
- ATF is independent of any pre-existing Islamic organisation.
- ATF is not a parallel organisation to any Islamic organisation.
- ATF may have a relationship with any Islamic organisation if the need arises.
Reflection. To Allah be the glory, we have been endowed with material and immaterial resources; intelligence, sound health, optimism, wealth, certificates, influence and dignity, just to mention a few. It is therefore incumbent upon us to utilise these enormous resources to cater for the relatively less endowed, in appreciation of Allah's countless favours on us and as an attempt at passing the trial (of endowment) from Him.
Rewardable act. The best of mankind (PBUH) was reported to have said: "He who strives to assist the widow and the poor is equivalent in reward to a mujahid in the cause of Allah or a person who performs tahajjud all nights and fasts all day" (Bukhari).
Registration. ATF is duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Registration number: CAC/IT/NO 39185.
Organisational structure. The organisation structure is based on three levels / organs, namely National, State and Branch Organs:
- National Organ: The supreme governing body of the organisation.
- State Organ: Comprises all branches within a state and is administered by the State Executive Council (SEC).
- Branch Organ: The major towns in a state constitute the branches. For efficient functioning, branches may operate at smaller levels (sub-branches) e.g. institutions of higher learning, teaching hospital complexes, ministries, secretariats, etc.