Source: “Ahkām wa Masāʾil in the Light of the Qur’an and Hadith”, Volume 02
Answered by: ʿUbaydullāh Raḥmānī Dehlawī
Published in: Muhaddith Dehli, Volume 8, Issue 12
As-Salāmu ʿAlaikum wa Rahmatullāhi wa Barakātuh
Is it permissible to spend Sadaqat al-Fitr, the price of sacrificial hides, or Zakat funds on mosques, for example:
No, it is not permissible to spend the price of sacrificial hides (charm-e-qurbānī) or Sadaqat al-Fitr or Zakat on mosque construction, repairs, or maintenance.
① The value of sacrificial hides (charms) and the amount given as Sadaqat al-Fitr are meant exclusively for the poor and needy (fuqarāʾ wa masākīn).
This ruling is based on authentic narrations, including those found in Sahih al-Bukhari and others.
② The one offering the sacrifice may, however, personally benefit from the hide (e.g., using it as a mat or leather item), as long as it is not sold for money.
③ Zakat and Sadaqat al-Fitr share identical designated recipients, which are outlined explicitly in the Qur’an, Surah al-Tawbah (9:60).
The verse describes the eight categories (aṣnāf-i-thamāniyah) eligible for Zakat.
④ A mosque is not among these eight eligible recipients.
Therefore, any funds from Zakat or Sadaqat al-Fitr cannot be allocated to mosque expenses under Islamic law.
It is impermissible to use:
…for any part of mosque construction, repair, maintenance, or facilities.
Such funds must be strictly given to the poor and needy, as defined by Islamic law.
وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
And Allah knows best what is correct.
Answered by: ʿUbaydullāh Raḥmānī Dehlawī
Published in: Muhaddith Dehli, Volume 8, Issue 12
❖ Question:
As-Salāmu ʿAlaikum wa Rahmatullāhi wa Barakātuh
Is it permissible to spend Sadaqat al-Fitr, the price of sacrificial hides, or Zakat funds on mosques, for example:
- Whitewashing and plastering,
- Installing lighting,
- Repairing the boundary walls of the mosque, etc.?
❖ Answer:
No, it is not permissible to spend the price of sacrificial hides (charm-e-qurbānī) or Sadaqat al-Fitr or Zakat on mosque construction, repairs, or maintenance.
❖ Explanation:
① The value of sacrificial hides (charms) and the amount given as Sadaqat al-Fitr are meant exclusively for the poor and needy (fuqarāʾ wa masākīn).
This ruling is based on authentic narrations, including those found in Sahih al-Bukhari and others.
② The one offering the sacrifice may, however, personally benefit from the hide (e.g., using it as a mat or leather item), as long as it is not sold for money.
③ Zakat and Sadaqat al-Fitr share identical designated recipients, which are outlined explicitly in the Qur’an, Surah al-Tawbah (9:60).
The verse describes the eight categories (aṣnāf-i-thamāniyah) eligible for Zakat.
④ A mosque is not among these eight eligible recipients.
Therefore, any funds from Zakat or Sadaqat al-Fitr cannot be allocated to mosque expenses under Islamic law.
❖ Final Ruling:
It is impermissible to use:
- Zakat
- Sadaqat al-Fitr
- The value of sacrificial hides
…for any part of mosque construction, repair, maintenance, or facilities.
Such funds must be strictly given to the poor and needy, as defined by Islamic law.
وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
And Allah knows best what is correct.
