Question:
As Islam being maligned in every possible way and as rigorous Da'wa countering the false claims about Islam as become incumbent, some good people in Chennai, India came together with an fabulous Idea of presenting Islam and removing misconception about Islam and to call to Islam in a bigger level, they conducted an Islamic Exhibition by the name PEACE vision of Islam, which first of its kind in India, in the year 2004 and 2005. In which around 500 panels (big sized multi colored) on various topics of Islam, like concept of God in Islam (concept of Tawheed), Seerah of the Prophets, and Islamic books, games, CDs, audios etc., and prominent reputed International Scholars are invited as speakers to remove misconceptions about Islam and to call towards Islam, the speakers are Muhammad Al-Jibaly, Bilaal Philips, Salem Al-Amry, Hussein Ye, Yusuf Estes, Dr. Zaakir Naik etc., there were thousands of visitors, it held for 10 days, Maasha Allah it created a mass awareness amongst Muslims and as well as non-Muslims, many accepted Islam after listening to the lectures, visiting the panels, books, talking to the people etc., the speeches of national, regional level speakers were arranged simultaneously. This Exhibition became the best Resource for Islam, Islam presented to people in its pristine purity form, all based on Quran and Authentic Sunnah. The complete record of the event is available for verification. My question is, can we use the Zakat money for conducting such useful Da'wa events? The organizers have put in immense effort physically, financially etc., which is too hard on them but all was for the sake of Da'wa. This program was highly beneficial for removing misconceptions about Islam, presenting Islam according to Quran and Sunnah and to invite people towards Islam.
Fatwa:
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger.
First of all, we thank you and the other brothers for the effort that you are making for spreading the Word of Allah, and we ask Allah to reward you and put your endeavour on the scale of your good deeds on the Day of Judgement. However, we stress that calling to Allah should be according to the correct Islam upon which the Prophet and his noble companions, may Allah be pleased with them, to an Islam free from any innovations and superstitions.
As regards the question of paying Zakat money on such programmes, then we do not see that this is permissible. That is because Allah, has exactly defined the kind of people on whom Zakat should be spent. So it is not permissible to spend Zakat on types of people other than those mentioned in the above Fataawa. Allah Says (which means): {As-Sadaqât (here it means Zakat) are only for the poor, and for the needy, and for those employed to collect (the funds); and for attracting the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allah's Cause (i.e. for those fighting in the holy wars), and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise.}[Quran 9:60].
Therefore, Allah has specifically defined the kind of people on whom Zakat should be spent, by Saying (which means): 'only', and His Saying (which means): 'All-Knower', means that He Knows His Creation and their need, and His Saying (which means): 'All-Wise', means in His Acts and Doings. So it is not permissible to spend it on other people than those defined in the verse.
If you are really sincere in your programme and endeavour, Allah may facilitate for you someone who would sponsor you. You may also ask some charitable organizations in your country to help you in your programme, or you may even approach some organizations outside your country.
Allah Knows best.
Fatwa answered by: The Fatwa Center at Islamweb