Zakat to a non-profit Islamic satellite
Question
Assalamu Alaykum.
Is it permissible to give zakat to non-profit Islamic satellite channels that use the money to run their channels?
Answer
Wa’alaykum as Salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,
Zakah can only be given to those Muslims who are deserving, as outlined in verse 60 of Surah Tawba. Furthermore, “Tamleek” is a pre-condition for the discharge of Zakah. This means that the deserving recipient should be made owner and have full authority of Zakah that he receives.
Thus, it will not be permissible to give Zakah to a satellite station, who will use the funds for the running of their channels.
ولا يجوز أن يبني بالزكاة المسجد وكذا القناطر والسقايات وإصلاح الطرقات وكري الأنهار والحج والجهاد وكل ما لا تمليك فيه ولا يجوز أن يكفن بها ميت ولا يقضى بها دين الميت كذا في التبيين (الفتاوى الهندية (1/ 188)
And Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala knows best.