Where Muslims meet

As Muzz closes its 2026 Ramadan campaign, where the goal was to raise $500,000 to rebuild and equip a hospital in Sudan, Shahzad Younas, CEO and Founder of Muzz, wanted to share some interesting stats on how donations came in, along with some of the trends and patterns seen this year.

As always, transparency and providing updates to the community remain a key part of how Muzz runs its campaigns.

The campaign began a little slowly, with a subdued effort at the start, which caused some concern internally. By around mid-Ramadan (6th March), things became noticeably quieter. This coincided with patterns often seen at mosques, where attendance for night prayers typically tails off midway through Ramadan, resulting in smaller congregations.

By the midpoint, only around 15% ($75K) of the total campaign goal ($500K) had been reached. Other charities also mentioned experiencing quieter Ramadans this year, raising questions around whether people were experiencing donation fatigue or had already given earlier in the year due to the large number of ongoing global crises, including Gaza.

Momentum shifted on 9th March as the campaign approached the last ten nights of Ramadan. At this stage, Muzz began matching donations. Each year, the company commits to matching and donating whatever it takes to ensure the gap is filled and the $500K campaign goal is achieved. This is when donations began to increase rapidly.

The 27th night of Ramadan, known as the Night of Power (though it falls within the last ten nights), saw the biggest spike, with over $45K donated on that night alone.

Shahzad Younas, CEO of Muzz

A breakdown of donation sources showed that the largest portion ($100K) came directly from the app itself. A custom in-app screen was built so that as users used the app, they were reminded about the campaign and encouraged to donate. Each year, the Muzz community continues to contribute meaningful amounts through this feature.

The next largest portion came from donations made via a personal fundraising link shared during the campaign, followed by internal communications, push notifications, emails, and website traffic.

Muzz also hosted several iftars globally, with all ticket sales going directly toward the campaign.

This became one of the most thorough campaigns delivered from both a technology and communications perspective, with engineering, product, and marketing teams working together to ensure every effort was made to reach the target.

At present, $283K of the $500K target has been raised, with over 5,000 people donating. Alhamdulillah.

Muzz will now contribute $217K of its own funds to match donations made during the last ten nights and ensure the campaign reaches its goal.

From everyone at Muzz, alongside charity partner Sudanese American Physicians Association (SAPA), and from the people in Sudan who, Insha’Allah, will benefit from this campaign, a huge thank you.

By Shahzad Younas, CEO of Muzz

Founder of Muzz reveals changing user numbers during the holy month as subscribers raise £175,000 for hospital in Sudan.

Weronika Strzyżyńska, Hyphen Reporter

The founder of a Muslim dating app with millions of users is hoping Eid will result in an “explosive” return to normal activity levels on the platform, following a 20% dip at the beginning of Ramadan.

UK-based Muzz saw its traffic plummet during the first days of the holy month as users — especially in Europe and North America — took a break from searching for love.

“Ramadan is a month of different priorities,” said its founder and chief executive, Shahzad Younas.

“We see this every year: users pausing or deactivating their accounts or premium subscription at the beginning of the fast.”

Though the paused subscriptions translate to a loss of revenue and a “brutal month” for the company, Younas said users had begun to trickle back to the app once Ramadan reached the halfway mark.

“It’s sort of similar to what happens at my local mosque: it’s packed for prayers for the first few days, then the attendance slowly peters out,” he said.

The Ramadan dip in activity is also far less pronounced in Muslim-majority countries, Younas said.

Opinions on whether the use of match-making apps such as Muzz during Ramadan are divided. Younas said he believed that talking to a prospective spouse online was permissible, but that he would advise against meeting in person.

Muzz was launched by Younas, a former investment banker, in 2015. It boasted eight million active users worldwide by 2023 and had a turnover of £25 million in 2024. The app presents itself as a halal alternative to conventional dating apps, focusing on marriage rather than more casual relationships and offering perks such as a digital chaperone. 

“Muslims don’t date, they marry,” has been Younas’ catchphrase since the launch of the business. The company claims to have introduced more than half a million people to their spouses worldwide.

During Ramadan, the app shifts its focus to fundraising, with users seeing a link to donate to a charitable cause as they swipe. So far this Ramadan, app users have raised more than £175,000 to rebuild a hospital in North Darfur in partnership with the Sudanese American Physicians Association.

Muzz matches all donations made during the last 10 days of Ramadan. 

Younas believes that the app’s religious orientation and “focus on success” insulates it from the downward slump in revenue and users experienced by other mainstream dating apps including Tinder and Bumble over the last few years.

“We always say, if you are serious and want to get married, we are the place for you. If you want to keep it casual and mess around, go somewhere else.”

Shahzad Younas, CEO of Muzz

Article by Weronika Strzyżyńska, Reporter at Hyphen

made du’a for marriage in ramadan? here’s how to actually move on it

Ramadan had you different.You were focused. Grounded. Clear on what you want.You weren’t entertaining nonsense. You weren’t wasting time.And somewhere in those late-night du’as, you asked for it:Real love. A real partner. Marriage.Not a situationship. Not “let’s see where it goes.”Something intentional.So why, two weeks later, are you back in the same cycles?

you don’t accidentally find something serious

Let’s just say it plainly.You don’t end up in a strong, healthy marriage by moving unserious.You don’t find your person by: •replying when you’re bored •entertaining people with no direction •staying in conversations that aren’t going anywhereAnd you definitely don’t get there by saying “inshallah” and doing nothing.Du’a requires movement.Tie your camel.

intention isn’t a vibe, it’s a strategy

A lot of people say they’re “intentional.”But then their actions look like: •talking for weeks with no clarity •avoiding the marriage conversation •being afraid to ask real questions •keeping options open “just in case”That’s not intention. That’s hesitation dressed up nicely.Being intentional means you’re clear, direct, and a little uncomfortable sometimes.

if you’re on muzz, move like it

Let’s be real.You downloaded Muzz for a reason.So use it like someone who knows what they want.

1. stop treating it like entertainment

If you’re swiping out of boredom, you’ve already lost.Be selective.You’re not here to pass time. You’re here to find alignment.

2. say what you’re looking for early

You don’t need to write a thesis.But if you’re serious about marriage, let that be known.Not aggressively. Not awkwardly. Just clearly.It filters the wrong people out fast.

3. don’t drag conversations

If it’s been days and you’re still doing small talk…Be honest. This isn’t going anywhere.Intentional people move conversations forward: •values •lifestyle •goals •timelinesIf it feels like pulling teeth, that’s your answer.

4. ask better questions

Not “what’s your favorite color”Ask things that actually matter: •what does marriage look like to you? •what are you working toward right now? •how do you handle conflict?You’re not interviewing them. You’re understanding them.

5. know when to leave

This is where most people fail.They see red flags and… stay.They feel confusion and… stay.They know it’s not aligned and still try to “see where it goes.”Be serious.Clarity is a blessing. Confusion is your cue to move on.

stop saying you want marriage if you don’t move like it

This is the uncomfortable part.A lot of people like the idea of marriage…but aren’t actually ready to be intentional about it.Because being intentional means: •saying no more often •walking away faster •being honest even when it’s awkward •choosing alignment over attentionAnd that takes discipline.

ramadan wasn’t just a phase

You didn’t just imagine that version of yourself.The one who: •had standards •had clarity •had self-controlThat’s still you.So don’t leave her behind just because Ramadan ended.

make the du’a, then do the work

If you’re still asking Allah for love, for marriage, for something real…Then meet that du’a with action.Be intentional.Move differently.Stop entertaining what you prayed to be protected from.And if you’re using Muzz, then use it properly.Not casually. Not passively.With purpose.Because the right person isn’t found by chance.They’re found when intention meets effort.