No, zakat funds cannot be used for infrastructure projects according to most scholars.
Zakat is an obligatory charity in Islam, with specific guidelines on how it should be spent. The primary categories of eligible recipients are outlined in Surah At-Tawbah (9:60). These categories include the poor (al-fuqara), the needy (al-masakin), those employed to collect zakat (amilin alayha), those whose hearts are to be reconciled (muallafati qulubuhum), those in bondage (fi al-riqab), those in debt (al-gharimin), those in the cause of Allah (fi sabilillah), and the wayfarer (ibn al-sabil).
Among these categories, the potential for using zakat funds to build a masjid or Islamic school primarily falls under the category of “in the cause of Allah” (fi sabilillah) according to some contemporary scholars.
According to the four major mazhabs (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali schools), the phrase “in the cause of Allah” has traditionally been interpreted to refer to specific individuals. These individuals include those enlisted to serve in the Muslim army and those needing financial assistance to complete their Hajj pilgrimage. This interpretation confines the use of zakat to direct, individual support rather than public infrastructure projects.
In recent times, some contemporary scholars have adopted a more expansive interpretation of “in the cause of Allah” to include public projects that benefit the Muslim community. This broader interpretation may encompass the building of masjids or Islamic schools under certain circumstances. These scholars argue that such projects, which serve significant communal needs, could be considered as falling within the scope of “fi sabilillah.”
It is important to note that this contemporary view is not the mainstream interpretation throughout classical scholarship. Even among scholars who hold this expansive view, the application is not general but must be analyzed on a case-by-case basis. They emphasize that such use of zakat funds should be considered only when the project directly serves the urgent needs of the Muslim community and no other funding sources are available.
In conclusion, while there is some contemporary scholarly support for using zakat funds to build masjids or Islamic schools, this is not the traditional or widely accepted view. The classical interpretations of the major madhabs restrict zakat usage to direct, individual support for specific categories of recipients. Therefore, it is more appropriate and advisable to use sadaqa (voluntary charity) for community infrastructure projects like building masjids or Islamic schools. Zakat should be reserved for its primary purpose: providing immediate relief and support to eligible individuals in need. This ensures the core objective of zakat is maintained and fulfills its role in alleviating poverty and need within the Muslim community.
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