Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

2. Can we give sadaqah to a school and ensure that they do not use it for any other purpose but to buy land with it. Can we restrict the use of that sadaqah based on our wishes.

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Can one restrict use of charity?

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: Can we restrict the use of that sadaqah based on our wishes.

There is absolutely no harm if one gives ‘Sadaqah’ or voluntary charity in any good cause to earn the Pleasure of Allah, and wishes to specify or restrict the use of the money given, to a particular project or part of a project. The person who gives the voluntary charity has a full right, if he wishes to exercise his option, to ensure that the money given as ‘sadaqah’ be used in a manner that is acceptable to him.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan