Category: Zakat & Charity

Support for Non-Profit Organizations through Zakah: Permissible?

Support for Non-Profit Organizations through Zakah: Permissible?

Question
What is the Islamic rule regarding providing an educational institution with financial support, raised by Zakah, spent on the following: - Excellent male and female students unable to pay the study fees. - Wages for teaching and administrative staff members. - Equipping classes and laboratories to a suitable standard. - Preparing a library that satisfies the needs of studies and researches. Needless to say that the cost of these matters is beyond the capacity of these institutions in the West, which are mainly dependent on study fees that can only cover part of the school expenses. This situation gives no other option but seeking financial and material donations from Muslim minorities. Is it Islamically permissible to spend funds raised by means of Zakah on the above-mentioned matters?
Questioner
Anonymous
Answered By
Answer

As-Salamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

In The Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All Praise and Thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

In response to this question, the European Council for Fatwa and Research (ECFR) issued the following Fatwa:

Given that students who are unable to pay their tuition fall under the definition of the poor, it is acceptable to use some of the money generated through Zakah to provide scholarships to those students. All of the other aforementioned costs should only be supported by general donations.

Allah Almighty knows best.

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