Fatwa no. 20955 All praise be to Allah Alone, and peace and blessings of Allah be upon the Last of the Prophets, Muhammad.The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta' has reviewed the submitted question to His Eminence the Grand Mufty (Islamic scholar qualified to issue legal opinions), by His Excellency, Dr. `Abdul-Rahman ibn `Abdul-`Aziz Al-Suwailim the Head of Saudi Red Crescent Society and the Chairman of the Saudi Joint Committee for Relief of Kosovo People under no. (R 306) dated on 15 Rabi` Al-Awwal, 1420 A.H. The question was referred to the Committee by the Secretariat General of the Council of Senior Scholars under no. 1943 dated on 15 Rabi` Al-Awwal, 1420 A.H. His Eminence's letter states: (Part No. 8; Page No. 345) His Eminence Shaykh, `Abdul-`Aziz ibn `Abdullah Al Al-Shaykh the Grand Mufty and the Head of Council of Senior Scholars, As-salamu `alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah's Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!) I pray for Your Eminence success and guidance. On the basis of care and interest in Muslims' affairs by our rightly-guided government, the Noble Royal Decree no. (gh b 1863) dated 3 Safar, 1420 A.H. was issued. It stated the formation of a joint committee for the relief of Kosovo people. One of the tasks of this committee is fundraising and collection of donations in goods and cash. Some of these donations are either Zakah (obligatory charity) or Sadaqah (voluntary charity). As you know (may Allah keep you safe), administering these projects entail allocating a portion of these donations for administrative costs such as employees salaries, renting and furnishing buildings, media work for public awareness, communications, transportation, etc. Hence, I ask Your Eminence's view on this matter and the appropriate Shar'i percentage that can be deducted from the total of donations to cover these costs.May Allah keep you safe! As-salamu `alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh

After scrutinizing the question, the Committee answered that Zakah funds which are paid to the Committee for the Relief of Kosovo People must be spent in the Shar`y channels mentioned in the Noble Qur'an. Allah (Exalted be He) says: As-Sadaqât (here it means Zakât) are only for the Fuqarâ’ (poor), and the Masâkin (needy) and those employed to collect (the funds), and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islâm), and to free the captives, and for those in debt, and for Allâh’s Cause, and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allâh. And Allâh is All-Knower, All-Wise. (Part No. 8; Page No. 346) Hence, it is not permissible to spend them in purposes other than those specified by Allah. This is because discharging the responsibility can only be fulfilled by carrying out the obligations in the manner that Allah has specified. What you mentioned is not included in the legal channels of distributing Zakah. Similarly, Sadaqah and donations which were paid for a specific project should be spent on what it is dedicated for and not for other purposes.May Allah grant us success. May Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and his Companions!