Giving Zakah to a charity that propagates the Deen

Question

Is it permissible to give Zakaat to a charity that propagates the deen?

Answer

It is permissible to give Zakah to a charity, if the charity is run to propagate the knowledge of the Deen with the condition that Heelah Shar’iyyah (Legal Scheme) is practised. This is only permissible in the case that the Charity is in need of money to continue propagating and teaching the knowledge of Islam. The Scholars have permitted this, because the perseverance of Islam is based on propagating and teaching the knowledge of Islam. Heelah Shar’iyyah is a practise established from the Hadith, which has also been recorded by Imam Bukhari, where the Messenger of Allah ate from food that was given as Sadaqah and later gifted to the Prophet Muhammed (peace and blessings be upon him).

Heelah Shar’iyyah is to make a poor person (who is eligible to take Zakah) the owner and then to advise him to give it to the charity. The person who gave the Zakah will be rewarded for giving Zakah and the poor person will be rewarded for the charity in the path of Allah. After the Legal Scheme has been executed, the money can be used for anything related to the running of the charity,which includes the costs of building, decorating, food, books, paying wages to the workers or teachers etc.

In Al-Durr Al-Mukhtaar, it says:

“Heelah is to make the poor the owner and then to order him to give in these causes.”

In Radd Al-Muhtaar, it says:

“The reward of Zakah is for him and the reward of this good deed is for the poor.”

Imam Ahmed Raza writes in Fataawa Ridawiyyah:

“If the money is given to a masraf of Zakah (one eligible to take Zakah) and (he) is made the owner, he may give it to the Madrasah (Muslim School); then it can be used for the wages of the teachers, employees and all other uses related to the Madrasah.”

It has become a wide practise globally to give Zakah to the Muslim institutes that are working to propagate and spread the knowledge of Islam. It is important to mention that this money is Zakah when giving it to the charity or institute. In this case, the person will be relieved from his obligation and the charity or institute will be his official representative that will now be obliged to ensure that the Zakah is given to one who is eligible to take Zakah and Heelah is practised when needed. The charity or institute is only permitted to practise Heelah Shar’iyyah if there is a need and enough funds have not already been received through other donations. Those Masaajid and Madaaris (plural for Masjid and Madrasah), who take Zakah via Heelah Shar’iyyah, although they do not need it and they already have enough funds, are committing Haraam; and the people are not relieved from their obligation if they give to such places. One should only give his Zakah for Heelah Shar’iyyah to an institute which is in need.

And Allah knows best.

Zahid Hussain Al-Qadiri
(Beggar at the doorstep of Scholars)
2nd Ramadan Al-Mubaarak 1436 AH