In the name of Allah the Beneficent the Merciful Peace, blessings and mercy of Allah be upon you. Dear Honorable Sheikh; I know from my limited knowledge that one can not pay Zakah to the Islamic center or Masjid but Brothers here are saying that it is permissible to pay their Zakah for the constructions of the Masjid. I would like to know your opinion about this. Jazakum Allahu Khairan.

AAWW

 

The Fiqh Council of the Muslim World League issued a Fatwa on 1405 AH annual convention that the category في سبيل الله  or ( For the cause of Allah ) could include any Islamic work, especially when there is a desperate need for it.

 

 In the US and in the west in general, the Islamic work is sponsored by the Muslim community only and not by any governmental grants or any financial support in many cases. Consequently, building and maintaining Masajid is a legitimate Zakah recipient according to this approach.