Source: Ahkam wa Masā’il – The Chapter of Mosques, Vol. 1, p. 107
❖ The Question
Can Zakāh funds be used for the construction of a mosque or for purchasing land for a mosque?
❖ The Answer
Alhamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh. Ammā baʿd!
Allah Almighty has clearly specified the eight categories for the disbursement of Zakāh in the Qur’an, as stated in Sūrah al-Tawbah, verse 60:
“إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ“
(al-Tawbah: 60)
In these eight categories, there is no mention of mosques.
❖ The Misinterpretation of “Fī Sabīlillāh”
Some scholars have argued that the phrase “فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ” (in the way of Allah) includes mosque construction and purchasing land for mosques, thereby allowing Zakāh funds to be spent for this purpose.
However, this interpretation is not correct, as the intended meaning of “Fī Sabīlillāh” in this verse refers specifically to jihad and related causes, not general charitable projects.
❖ Conclusion
In light of the Qur’an and Sunnah, Zakāh funds cannot be used for the construction of mosques or for purchasing land for them.
ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
