Derived from: Ahkam wa Masail – Qurbani and Aqiqah Issues, Volume 1, Page 440
❖ Question:
Can Qurbani hides be spent on students of madrasahs, hospitals, schools, or the publication of Islamic literature? Similarly, can Zakat funds be used for such purposes?
✅ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʾAmma baʿd!
✿ Rulings on Zakat and Sadaqah Distribution:
◈ Allah ﷻ has specified eight eligible categories for the distribution of Zakat and Sadaqah in the Qur’an, as clearly mentioned in Surah al-Tawbah, verse 60.
◈ Students of madrasahs, schools, colleges, universities, and patients in hospitals are only eligible for Zakat if they fall under one of the eight categories prescribed in this verse.
◈ Anyone who does not fall within these specified categories is not a valid recipient of Zakat or Sadaqah.
The use of the word “إِنَّمَا” (Indeed only) in this verse indicates restriction and exclusivity, proving that Zakat is strictly limited to these eight categories, and cannot be diverted to any other purpose.
✿ Rulings on the Use of Qurbani Hides:
◈ The most virtuous and preferred practice regarding Qurbani hides is to give them as Sadaqah.
◈ In this regard, the Hadith from Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī records the statement of ʿAlī (رضي الله عنه):
«أَمَرَنِیْ رَسُوْلُ اﷲِ ﷺ أَنْ أَتَصَدَّقَ بِجِلاَلِ الْبُدْنِ الَّتِیْ نَحَرْتُ وَبِجُلُوْدِهَا»
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī – Book of Ḥajj – Chapter: Garments of Sacrificial Animals)
Translation:
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ commanded me to give in charity the covers and hides of the sacrificial animals that I slaughtered.”
✿ Summary of the Legal Guidelines:
◈ This Hadith makes it clear that Qurbani hides should be given as Sadaqah.
◈ Since they are a part of the sacrificial act, their disposal must comply with Shar‘i principles.
◈ The same categories that apply to Zakat and Sadaqah (as defined in the Qur’an) are to be applied when distributing Qurbani hides.
◈ Therefore, using Qurbani hides or Zakat for purposes like building construction, school infrastructure, or book publishing is not permissible unless the recipients fall within the eligible categories.
هٰذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
