Distribution of Zakah

How to distribute Zakah is determined in the Qur'an itself. Building mosques, madrasas, da'wah centers, da'wah and tabligh activities and charitable works are all personal responsibilities. It is an individual or communal obligation of Muslims to build mosques, madrasas, da'wah centers, etc using their personal wealth, apart from what they are required to as zakah.

Important considerations:

Generally, poor and needy students study in Madarsas, hence using zakah for them is accepted.

However, if there are rich students in madrasahs, zakah money cannot be used for them.

It is duty of wealthy Muslims to allocate a major portion of their Zakah, Ushur, Sadaqatul Fitr and skins of sacrifices for the poor and the needy. Apart from this, it is compulsory to build mosques, madrasahs, dawah centers, etc with their personal wealth.

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) never used the zakah, 'ushur, Sadaqatul fitr or skins of sacrifices for the construction of mosques, or da'wah and tabligh activities or any other local needs. He did not use the divinely designated fund even for the holy wars (Jihad) while he was in dire need.

On the occasion of the Battle of Tabuk during his holy reign, many Companions of the Prophet, may Allah bless them, supplemened the Jihad Fund from their personal wealth. No precedent can be found from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessing be upon him, that he used Zakah, Sadaqah al-Fitr, or sacrificial skins for preaching or social work.

Sheikh Abdus Salam Umari Madani

Founder,

Aspire College of Excellence for Islamic Studies in Chennai and Bangalore