It was a Saturday afternoon, and the Bello family had a full house. Relatives had come around to spend time together, the children were excited about their gifts, and Ibrahim and Aisha spent most of the afternoon making sure everyone was well fed and taken care of.

As the family settled down later that evening, Ibrahim’s younger brother brought up something that had been bothering him. His daughter’s school fees were due soon, and he was struggling to raise the full amount. Ibrahim offered to help, as he had done before, but the conversation stayed with him long after his brother left.

He and Aisha had three children of their own, a growing business to manage and parents they were still responsible for supporting. Their eldest daughter would soon be preparing for university, and their youngest was moving into a new stage of school. They were grateful for how far they had come, but they knew there would be more responsibilities as the children grew older.

That night, Aisha asked Ibrahim a question they had never really sat down to discuss. They were always making plans for the next school term, the next business decision or the next family occasion, but had they thought carefully about how they wanted to provide for their family in the years ahead?

It was a fair question. They had savings, property and a business, yet many of their plans existed in conversations between them. They knew what they wanted to do for their children, the relatives they supported and the causes they cared about, but they had not explored how to put those intentions into a more structured arrangement.

They began thinking about their giving and responsibilities more deliberately. They wanted to continue helping others, provide for their children and make decisions that reflected their understanding of Islam. They also wanted to know what options were available to help them do this properly.

As they looked into Islamic estate planning, they learnt that different arrangements could serve different purposes. A trust could be structured to support a child’s education or other agreed needs. Hibah offered a way to make lifetime gifts, while Wasiyyah provided for certain bequests in accordance with Islamic principles. They also learnt how Waqf could be used to dedicate assets to charitable purposes under defined terms.

For Ibrahim and Aisha, the conversation was a reminder that planning for their family meant thinking beyond the immediate needs of everyday life. They wanted to be deliberate about the people they cared for, the causes they supported and the arrangements they put in place, all in line with their faith.

Perhaps you have had similar conversations in your own family. You may be thinking about your children’s education, a gift you hope to make, supporting a cause that matters to you or how to organise your affairs in accordance with Islamic principles. Knowing where to begin can make all the difference.

Amanah by United Capital Trustees offers Shariah compliant trust and estate planning solutions to help muslims put these intentions into practice. Speaking with a trust expert can help you understand the options available and identify arrangements that suit your circumstances and plans for the future.

Planning for your family’s future starts with a conversation. Click here to book a consultation with a United Capital Trustees expert and explore how Amanah can help you plan for your family’s future in line with your faith.