Zakat and sadaqat al-fitr for a school

Question

(1) Here an Urdu school has been established by the Muslims. At the time of its founding the Muslims were assured of instruction in religious fundamentals and the Noble Qur’an, but in practice instruction in religious fundamentals and the Noble Qur’an is next to nothing, while Urdu and English are taught according to the government curriculum. In this school there is no arrangement for the lodging and maintenance of poor and orphaned children, while the local widows and orphans are needy beyond measure.

Answer

(1) If zakat, sadaqat al-fitr or the price of the hides of sacrificial animals is given to these orphaned and poor children who are entitled, it is correct according to the Shari‘a. But spending it on the teachers’ salaries, on the construction of the school or on any other need of the school is not permissible.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

Preview. The full text opens with JavaScript enabled.