Question :
Is it permissible to assist the poor using the funds donated by people for the maintenance and affairs of the mosque?
The Answer :
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds, and may His Peace and Blessings be upon our Prophet and all of his family and companions.
It is prohibited for mosque committees to allocate any portion of the mosque's donations to purposes other than those for which they were collected. The principle regarding the expenditure of donations is that they must be used according to the donor's intent and condition. The donor is akin to a Waqif (endower), and it is obligatory to adhere to the conditions of the endower. Therefore, the funds must not be diverted to purposes other than those specified by the donor.
In this regard, Al-Imam Al-Juwayni (may Allah have mercy on him) stated: "The conditions set by the endower must be followed concerning eligibility criteria, specified amounts, prioritization, grouping, and inclusion or exclusion. The endower is the one providing the benefit, and he has the right to determine how and to what extent it is provided." [Nihayat Al-Matlab vol.8/pp.362].
Further, Al-Imam Al-Shirazi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "Endowment proceeds must be spent according to the condition of the endower, whether in preference, equality, prioritization, postponement, inclusion, or exclusion, as the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) established endowments and recorded their conditions." [Al-Muhadhdhab vol.2/pp.328].
Thus, funds collected specifically for the mosque cannot be redirected to the poor or any other cause. However, the poor and needy have a rightful share in the wealth of the Muslim community, as Allah The most Exalted Says (What means): "And those in whose wealth is a recognised right, For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking) And those who hold to the truth of the Day of Judgment." [Al-Ma’arij/24-26].
The Prophet (PBUH) also said: "If the people of any settlement wake up while a person among them is hungry, then Allah's protection is lifted from them." [Al-Hakim].
The term "settlement" (عرصة, 'Arasa) refers to an open area, meaning that every neighborhood or community, whether in cities or villages, should take responsibility for providing for their needy residents. Such individuals can be supported through local zakat committees in their area.
Therefore, it is impermissible to allocate any portion of mosque donations to the poor and needy because funds collected for a specific purpose must not be diverted to another cause. The condition of the donor must be honored and observed. And Allah The Almighty Knows Best.
