Permissibility of Paying Zakat to Social Work Organizations

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullah

We operate an Islamic history and culture museum in the USA. Our mission is to educate the American public about Islamic history and culture and the contributions Muslims have made in this world. We accomplish our goal through da’wah, outreach, educational events, and exhibitions that promote Islam in America. For example, we will be featuring a new exhibit entitled “Muslims with Christiand and Jews: An exhibition of Covenants and Co-existence”. The exhibit will feature the Constitution of Medina and its contrast with the Bill of Rights. We will also feature covenants and treaties signed by prophet Muhammad, PBUH, with Christians and Jews offering them protection. We will illustrate the pluralistic and all inclusive nature of Islam since its inception, among other items which will be showcased. The exhibit is designed to combat Islamaphobia and the mis-information campaign about Islam and Muslims.

We are currently raising funds for the museum and the exhibits. The museum is a 501-C-3 organization and all donations are tax dedictable. However, some of our donors asked if they can pay their Zakat to us. I read that da’wah and educational programming in non-Muslim majority countries could qualify for Zakat under the “for Allah’s sake” (Fee-Sabeelillah) masraf. However, I didn’t feel comfortable declaring this to our donors without first obtaining a scholary fatwa. Could you please answe this question?

Jazak Allah Khair