5alas Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Trust begins with clarity - here are the answers to how 5alas works and how your support makes a difference.

From Your Donation to Local Impact

At 5alas, we believe charity should be transparent, impactful, and rooted in community. Our platform connects donors, local suppliers, and mosques to provide essential goods directly to people in need. Instead of money disappearing into a black box, every contribution is traceable - from the moment you donate, to the goods arriving at the mosque, and finally into the hands of beneficiaries.

This page answers the most common questions about how 5alas works for donors, mosques, suppliers, and beneficiaries. If you’re looking for more detailed guidance as a mosque, supplier, or beneficiary, we’ll direct you to the right page.

Any questions? We've got the answers

General About 5alas

5alas is a tech-driven charity platform tackling hunger, poverty, and poor health by empowering local communities. Donors purchase essential goods, which are sourced from local suppliers and distributed through trusted mosques. This ensures that charity not only meets immediate needs but also strengthens communities for the long term.

The process is simple and transparent:
  1. Donors choose items to donate and select a mosque to support.
  2. Local suppliers prepare and deliver the goods to the mosque.
  3. The mosque confirms delivery and distributes the items to verified beneficiaries.
This approach brings dignity to those receiving help, supports local businesses, and fosters unity between neighbours.

We are currently in the process of registering as a UK charity. In the meantime, we operate with trustees, policies, and governance aligned with UK charity standards to ensure full transparency and accountability.

We currently work with mosques and suppliers across the UK. Our vision is to expand internationally - creating a ripple effect of impact, one community at a time.

For Donors

First, choose the mosque you’d like to support. This isn’t just about the mosque itself - it’s about helping people in that local community who will receive the donations. Once you’ve chosen, you’ll see items from trusted local suppliers who can deliver directly to that mosque. Simply browse the available products, add them to your basket, and complete your donation. Your contribution directly funds these goods, which are delivered to the mosque and distributed to those most in need in the surrounding area.

Yes. Every penny of your donation goes towards the items you select. Our operating costs - including credit card processing fees and platform maintenance - are covered by a small 2.5% fee charged to suppliers after successful delivery, never from donors. You also have the option to add a 7.5% support contribution at checkout, which helps mosques cover the effort of distributing donations within their local community.

Yes. At the start of the donation process, you select the mosque you’d like to support. This choice ensures your donation strengthens that local community, as the goods you fund will be delivered to the mosque and distributed to people in need in the surrounding area.

Every mosque partner is a registered charity and appoints a volunteer to oversee distribution. Beneficiaries must present a valid 5alas ID and order reference to collect items. This creates a clear and accountable chain from donor to recipient.

Yes. Every donor receives a confirmation email after making a donation. You can also view your full order history, track deliveries, and download invoices anytime from your 5alas dashboard. This gives you complete transparency over how your donation is moving through the process.

For Mosques

Registered UK charities can apply via our Mosque Registration page. You’ll need to provide your charity number and basic details. Our team verifies each application to ensure donor trust.

Mosques are the trusted heart of 5alas. They receive goods from suppliers, confirm delivery, and distribute items to verified beneficiaries. To learn more about responsibilities and support available, see our full Mosque FAQ.

For Suppliers

Any registered business selling halal food, household essentials, or healthcare items can apply. We prioritise suppliers who share our mission of community support and ethical trade. Every supplier is verified through our due diligence process, and we do not work with businesses or products that conflict with our values - for example, alcohol, tobacco, or other items we actively choose to boycott. You can start your application on our Supplier Registration page.

When a donor orders your product, you’ll be notified via your supplier dashboard. You then deliver the goods to the mosque. Once confirmed, payment is processed (minus the 2.5% platform fee). For more details, see our Supplier FAQ.

For Beneficiaries

5alas supports individuals and families experiencing hardship - whether through unemployment, low income, or sudden crises. No one should feel ashamed to ask for help. Registration is required to receive a 5alas beneficiary ID. More information can be found on our Receive Donations page.

Beneficiaries are notified when items are available at their chosen mosque. To collect, they present their 5alas ID and order reference. This ensures donations reach those who truly need them.

Other Questions

Our costs are covered through a 2.5% supplier fee applied after successful deliveries, not from donor contributions. Donors can also choose to add a 7.5% voluntary support contribution for mosques.

Yes. Volunteers are vital to our mission. If you’d like to get involved, please contact us.

You can reach us via our Contact Page. For press and media enquiries, please include “Media” in the subject line or email media@5alas.com.

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