Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam
Question: As Salam alaikum,
1) Is it permissible to give zakat to a full time Islamic school? The school puts all the money in one big bank account through which they pay staff, buy supplies, and other miscellaneous fees. My concern was that it is not a separate account for tuition assistance. Does this make a difference?
2) I try to help the school by buying various things such as gym equipment, rain coats, sports ribbons… Does this count as sadaqah?
Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.
(1) Zakat must be given to a poor person. It doesn’t suffice to take the money and pay off a poor student’s tuition fees with it, unless the student gives his permission and grants agency to the principal to do this on his behalf.
(2) Yes, this will count as voluntary charity, insha’Allah.
Please see: Is Your Zakat Due? – A Reader and Resources on Giving Zakat
And Allah alone gives success.
wassalam,
Tabraze Azam
Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.