Fatwa no. ( 16914 ) The Committee of Nigeria intends to raise funds to provide the Du`ah (callers to Islam) working in the Authority (of Du`ah) in Nigeria with some selected books to enable them to call to Allah's (Exalted be He) Path in the best way and to confront the Christian missionaries and the invasion of ideas that contradict the way of Ahl-ul-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah (adherents to the Sunnah and the Muslim mainstream). In this concern, we would like to ask if it is permissible to pay Zakah (obligatory charity) to carry out projects which include:1- Buying books for the Du`ah in the form of a briefcase presented to them.2. Buying bicycles for them to move from one place to another during their work of calling to Allah's (Exalted be He) Path.3. Buying microphones to be used in calling to Allah's (Exalted be He) Path in markets and public meetings.4. Establishing libraries to be a source of knowledge for the Da`wah (calling to Islam), Muslims and whoever wants to know about Islam.The libraries will also be used as centers for training the Du`ah and qualifying them. We would like that you kindly notify us whether paying Zakah (Part No. 8; Page No. 425) is permissible for all the points mentioned above, clarifying what is permissible to pay Zakah for and what is not. May Allah benefit us and the Muslims with your knowledge.

A: It is not permissible to pay Zakah for the projects mentioned in the question, because they are not included in the generality of Allah's Words about the categories of Zakah recipients: ...and for Allâh’s Cause, and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything) "For Allâh’s Cause " as mentioned in this verse, refers to the Mujahids (one striving/fighting in the Cause of Allah). Some knowledgeable scholars said that there is Ijma` (consensus of scholars) about these words, that they refer to the Mujahids. But, it is permissible to pay Zakah to poor teachers and Du`ah, and also to the needy students and employees because of their poverty, as Allah (Glorified be He) says: As-Sadaqât (here it means Zakât) are only for the Fuqarâ’ (poor), and the Masâkin (needy) and so on, to the end of the verse. And Allah knows best.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.