Can a Muslim association ask for donations to build a mosque?

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.

Building mosques is one of the greatest forms of devotion to Allah. The Prophetic Hadeeth clearly states this fact: “Whoever builds a mosque for the sake of Allah even it is like a hole that a sand grouse make to put its eggs in (i.e. very small), Allah will build a house for him in Paradise.” [Ahmad, Ibn Maajah, Abu Ya’la and At-Tabaraani]

No doubt, the Islamic association that helps people and guides them to build mosques and collects money for the same goal is a genuine partner in reward for the Prophetic Hadeeth that reads: “Whoever guides (others) to do what is good, will reap the same reward as the doers.” [Muslim]

By the way, it must be known that it is not permitted to spend the Zakaah money for building mosques, since Allah, The Great and Almighty, has specified those who are eligible for receiving the Zakaah.

In other words, all other kinds of money that the donors give to charitable societies, without specifying the channels of spending, could be used for charitable goals according to what these societies believe is beneficial.

Allah knows best.