A teacher’s salary and meals from zakat funds

Question

In most madrasas here the teachers’ salaries are fixed exclusive of board, as though the portion of salary for food and drink is deducted from the full salary. Now, if some property comes into the madrasa under the head of zakat and sadaqat, is it permissible to eat it or not, given that the teachers are paying the price of the food?

Answer

Whatever amount the teachers eat as part of their salary (as remuneration for service — haqq al-khidma), to that extent the zakat and the like will not be discharged; it is necessary to keep an account of this. The same applies to spending on other employees and on those who are not eligible.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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