Q&A: Zakaat to Islamic Organizations

Q. Can Zakaat be given to the leaders/workers/students/theologians who work for Islamic movements or political parties? This will be their sole income, with a maximum limit as determined by the applicable Zakaat funds.

A. 1. Zakaat has to be compulsorily given to the poor and penniless, that is to such persons who either have no money at all or not even enough for their needs for a day.

2. It is not permissible to give Zakaat monies as salaries for working persons.

3. Students who are poor can be given Zakaat. The Zakaat, however, has to be given to them personally, not paid into the Madrasah account as fees for their studies.