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Citations of Consensus Regarding the Spending of Zakat on General Charities

In the Name of Allaah, the Ever-Compassionate, the Bestower of Mercy…

A number of scholars of the past, from different math-habs, lands, and time periods, have cited ijmaa’ (scholarly consensus) on the impermissibility of spending zakaat on general charities, like building masjids, roads, bridges, or buying a shroud for a dead person or paying his debts… They viewed that “fee sabeelillaah” (in the Way of Allaah) in the verse of zakaat recipients (9:60) was specific to the Muslim army and its battles, and some added: battles and hajj.

The following citations from early scholars oppose the general broader understanding promoted by some later scholars and writers that “fee sabeelillaah” (in the way of Allaah) includes all types of charity and good deeds loved by Allaah:

1. Aboo ‘Ubayd al-Qaasim ibn Sallaam (d.224)

“Regarding paying the debts of the deceased, buying shrouds for him, building masjids, or routing rivers, and similar things of a charitable nature, then Sufyaan (ath-Thawree), the scholars of Iraq, and others have all agreed that this does not fulfill the duty of zakaat, since these are not from its eight categories.” [al-Amwaal, 2/293]

2. Ibn Hazm (d.456)

“There is no dispute (amongst the scholars) that Allaah did not intend (by “fee sabeelillaah”) every good and charitable kind of thing when distributing zakaat, thus it is not permissible to be spent in other than the ways identified by the text, which is what I have mentioned previously (i.e. on the Muslim army).” [al-Muhallaa, 6/102]

3. Ibn al-’Arabee (d.543)

“I know of no differing (amongst the scholars) over the intended meaning of “fee sabeelillaah” here (in the verse of zakaat = 9:60) that it refers to the battles (of the muslim army), and this is something done for Allaah’s pleasure, except that it is reported from Ahmad and Is-haaq that they said it includes hajj.” [Ahkaam al-Qur'aan, 2/435]

4. Ibn Hubayrah (d.560)

“The imaams have agreed that it is not permissible to, nor is it valid to spend zakaat to build masjids or bridges, or shroud the dead, or other (charitable) things, since zakaat was not legislated for that.” [al-Ifsaah, as found in Nayl al-Ma'aarib of al-Bassaam, 2/71]

5. Ibn Qudaamah (d.620)

“This (“fee sabeelillaah”) is the seventh category of zakaat recipients.  There is no differing over their right to receive it or that the ruling is still in effect.  There is also no differing over them being members of the Muslim army fee sabeelillaah, since the way of Allaah when mentioned without a further restriction is understood to refer to battles…” [al-Mughnee, 9/326]

And Allaah knows best.
Moosaa ibn John Richardson
http://salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?forum=10&topic=6474

Also Check : Al-Albaanee: Zakaat not being given to good causes besides the eight categories:
http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=6&Topic=9660

Related Links:

Where Zakaah is to Be Spent

• Who is considered eligible to receive the Zakaat ? - Shaykh ul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyya
• Which of these eight categories is most deserving of receiving zakaah funds? – Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen
• Giving zakaah to students – Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen
• Giving zakaah to a seeker of knowledge – Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen
• Is it permissible to sponsor an orphan using zakaah money? – Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen
• Study courses are not to be paid for from zakaah funds – Shaykh Ibn Baaz
• Impermissibility of using Zakaah funds to finish building a masjid – Shaykh Ibn Baaz
• Printing the Qur’aan is not one of the things that zakaah should be spent on – Shaykh Ibn Baaz
• Can zakaah be given to one who will build a house with it? – Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen
• Can zakaah be given to one who suffers from kidney failure? – Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen
• Giving zakaah to someone who wants to get married – Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, Shaykh Ibn Baaz

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

(261. The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah, is that of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He wills. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower.)

This is a parable that Allah made of the multiplication of rewards for those who spend in His cause, seeking His pleasure. Allah multiplies the good deed ten to seven hundred times.

Allah said, <<The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah…>>

Sa`id bin Jubayr commented, "Meaning spending in Allah’s obedience".
Makhul said that the Ayah means, "Spending on Jihad, on horse stalls, weapons and so forth".

The parable in the Ayah is more impressive on the heart than merely mentioning the number seven hundred. This Ayah indicates that Allah `grows’ the good deeds for its doers, just as He grows the plant for whoever sows it in fertile land.

The Sunnah also mentions that the deeds are multiplied up to seven hundred folds. For instance, Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Mas`ud said that a man once gave away a camel, with its bridle on, in the cause of Allah and the Messenger of Allah said, (On the Day of Resurrection, you will have seven hundred camels with their bridles.)

Muslim and An-Nasa’i also recorded this Hadith, and Muslim’s narration reads, "A man brought a camel with its bridle on and said, `O Messenger of Allah! This is in the sake of Allah.’ The Messenger said, (You will earn seven hundred camels as reward for it on the Day of Resurrection. )

Another Hadith: Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said,

(Every good deed that the son of Adam performs will be multiplied ten folds, to seven hundred folds, to many other folds, to as much as Allah wills. Allah said, "Except the fast, for it is for Me and I will reward for it. One abandons his food and desire in My sake.” The fasting person has two times of happiness: when he breaks his fast and when he meets his Lord. Verily, the odor that comes from the mouth of whoever fasts is more pure to Allah than the scent of musk. Fasting is a shield (against sinning), fasting is a shield.) Muslim recorded this Hadith.

Allah’s statement, <<Allah gives manifold increase to whom He wills >> is according to the person’s sincerity in his deeds.

<< And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower >> meaning, His Favor is so wide that it encompasses much more than His creation, and He has full knowledge in whoever deserves it, or does not deserve it. All the praise and thanks are due to Allah.

Related Links :

• Charity
• Excellence of Generosity and Spending in a Good cause with Reliance on Allah – from Riyad ul Saliheen
• Prohibition of Miserliness – from Imam Nawawi’s Riyad ul Saliheen