Can you please advise if there is an islamic establishmnet, say a madrassa where poor students are boarded and from where they get their islamic and worldly education. And since the students are poor and recipients of zakaat, the organization that runs this madrassa collects zakaat from the general public to meet the general expenses of these poor students. What are the rules on consuming this zakaat money by 1) the admininstrators and teachers of this madrassa, for their salary? 2) eating food by these teachers and staff from the same zakaat money collected for the food expenses of these poor students 3) can the same zakaat money be used to cook food for the general public if say there is a public lecture at this madrassa or at a near by mosque?
Answer
(Fatwa: 1894/1478=H)
(1) No, the salary can not be given.
(2) No, it can not be spent in this direction.
(3) It is also not allowed to cook food for people from zakah money. The zakah money must be spent on the students by giving it in their possession.
Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) knows Best
Darul Ifta,
Darul Uloom Deoband