Zakaat - Rules and modern issues

Social service with the amount of Zakaat

For Zakaat to be valid, it is necessary that a Muslim, who doesn’t have wealth meeting the criterion of Zakaat, be made the absolute owner of that amount.  Thus, in social service activities like construction of a hospital, construction of Masjid, Madarsa, etc., this guideline of making a needy Muslim the absolute owner is not being fulfilled.  Thus, Zakaat can’t be given for such activities, rather these activities should be accomplished with mutual cooperation.

   Similarly, it is necessary that Zakaat should be given unconditionally.  Thus, giving Zakaat in salaries or as some other form of remuneration or wages is not permissible.  As mentioned in Fatawa A’alamgiri, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 170.