Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
A few brothers at our local masjid assert that some scholars consider it valid to give zakat to a masjid. Their reasoning is that a masjid in need of funds falls under the eighth category of valid recipients – fi sabeel Allah. 1. Is there a difference of opinion among the scholars on this issue? 2. Is this reason valid in the Hanafi madhab or other madhahibs?
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
See answer(s) below.
This is an aberrant opinion. There is general agreement that it is a condition for valid payment of zakat that it be given to poor or needy individuals, because of the explicit Qur’anic limitation.
For the importance of following sound qualified scholarship, and not just “anyone” with a degree and an opinion, read the writings of Sh. Nuh Keller and Sh. Abdal Hakim Murad on the issue of madhhabs and following qualified scholarship at Sidi Mas’ud Khan’s excellent site, www.masud.co.uk .
Wassalam,