Giving zakat money to a madrasa

Question

Those who give zakat to religious madrasas give it to the rector of the madrasa on the understanding that he will spend it on the correct recipients — the respected rector being, as it were, an agent (wakil). The matter requiring an answer is this: is it permissible or not to give it for the students’ food and clothing in such a way that wheat, curry and the like are bought with the zakat money, prepared as in ordinary kitchens and distributed; or should the students be made owners of the money itself?

Answer

If grain is bought with the zakat money, food is cooked in the kitchen and given to the entitled students by making them owners of the food, the zakat will be discharged; and if cash money is given, it will also be discharged.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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