Can Zakat Be Used for Mosques and Hospitals?
Many people sincerely want their zakat to build a mosque, an Islamic school, a hospital or a water well, so that its benefit continues forever. This intention is admirable, but zakat has its own defined rules. This guide explains where zakat can and cannot be spent.
The Basic Principle: Zakat Is the Right of Eligible People
Allah Himself defined the eight categories of zakat (Surah At Tawbah 9:60), and they are all people: the poor, the needy, debtors, travellers and so on. Mosques, buildings and roads are not among them.
In the Hanafi school, zakat requires tamlik: the money must be given into the ownership of an eligible person. A mosque or building is not owned by an individual, so spending zakat on it does not fulfil the obligation.
Where Zakat Cannot Be Spent
Building a mosque or paying its bills
School buildings, furniture or teachers’ salaries
Hospital buildings or equipment
Roads, bridges, wells or water filtration plants
Funeral costs, since the deceased cannot own anything
For all of these good causes, give voluntary charity (sadaqah). Its reward is immense and continues as ongoing charity (sadaqah jariyah).
How to Give Zakat to Islamic Schools
Many students at Islamic schools are eligible for zakat. The school can act as their agent, collect zakat, and spend it on eligible students’ food, housing, books or stipends, in a way that the benefit becomes theirs. When giving zakat to a school, make sure it keeps zakat separate and spends it only on eligible students.
Giving Zakat to Hospitals and Charities
Similarly, a hospital or charity that spends zakat only on eligible patients’ treatment, medicines or surgery may receive zakat. Again, make sure the organisation does not use zakat for buildings, salaries or general expenses.
Caution About “Ownership Tricks”
In some places, to use zakat for construction, the money is first given to an eligible person, who is then asked to donate it to the mosque or building. Scholars have tolerated this only in genuine necessity, and only if the eligible person truly owns the money and donates it freely. Making it a routine practice goes against the purpose of zakat, which is to help the poor.
Shaykh al Qaradawi’s View
Shaykh Yusuf al Qaradawi broadened the category “fi sabilillah” (in the cause of Allah) to include legitimate efforts to spread and defend Islam.
On this basis, some contemporary scholars allow zakat for Islamic centres and outreach institutions in areas with real need for da’wah. However, South Asian scholars, including Mufti Taqi Usmani, do not permit zakat for building mosques, based on the condition of tamlik.
A Final Word
Zakat is the right of the poor, and its purpose is to meet human needs. Support mosques, school buildings and hospitals with voluntary charity, and give your zakat directly to eligible people, or through trustworthy organisations that spend it only on them.
