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:

Dear Brother,

Assalamalaikum. Since last month we are saving a small amount for spending in the name of Allah, by giving money to those in need (like charity not zakat money)......Astag firul`lahaa.

My doubt is can I donate from this money to masjid or muslim graveyard. I heard that zakat money cannot be given to masjid or graveyard. Please advice me.

(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:

Spend zakah on mosque

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 none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 9 Surah Taubah verse 60:

60 Alms are for the poor, and the needy, and those employed to administer the (funds), for those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to the Truth), for those in bondage and in debt, in the Cause of Allah, and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained by Allah and Allah is full of Knowledge and Wisdom.

Allah Subhanah has prescribed that ‘zakah’ should be only paid to any of the above eight listed categories:

1. To the poor
2. To the needy
3. To those who are employed to administer the zakah funds
4. To those whose hearts have recently been reconciled to the Truth of Islam (new-muslims)
5. For those in bondage
6. For those in debt
7. In the Cause of Allah
8. To the way-farer or traveler

Allah Subhanah has Commanded and Guided the believers that ‘Zakah’ funds may be distributed to any of the above absolutely vast eight categories only; for all other categories, one may help them through voluntary and supererogatory charity or ‘sadaqa’ but not through ‘Zakah’ funds.

Your Question: I heard that zakat money cannot be given to masjid or graveyard

The Messenger of Allah (saws) indeed discouraged the believers from giving their ‘zakah’ money to build mosques; but the vast majority of the scholars and jurists in Islam are of the opinion that although not encouraged, if necessary, there is no harm if one spends of their ‘zakah’ dues on a muslim graveyard (especially if one finds a place where there is no burial ground for the believers); and that would fall under one of the categories of the recipients of ‘zakah’ dues: ‘in the Cause of Allah’. And Allah Alone Knows Best.

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

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan