Sending zakat to another place

Question

If a person, passing over his own vicinity and town, helps another town and Islamic madrasas merely with the thought and intention that it appears better in several respects, will he not be guilty of the sin of violating [others’] rights? For example, help is given to distant madrasas because a large and old madrasa is regarded as [more] beneficial, or because the excellence of its teaching, administration and honesty is recognized, or on account of correct beliefs, excellent teaching, and decline having come upon…

Answer

On the basis of these grounds of preference, sending [zakat] to madrasas is not a sin. Transferring zakat from one town to another without any valid ground of preference is makruh; the karaha (reprehensibility) applies [to payment] after the completion of the year.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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