May Zakat funds be used by the state to purchase essential equipment like horses and arms for volunteers engaged in Jihad?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Deposits
Primary text
This share is reserved for fighters who have no entitlement in the state register (Dīwān) and volunteer for the fighting when motivated. Ahmad stated that the price of a horse should be given, and the administrator of Zakat should not personally purchase the horse, as the obligation is to render the Zakat; buying it personally means only the cost was given, not the Zakat itself. The same applies to purchasing arms and sustenance. In another view, giving the monetary price for the horse and sword is more favored, though purchasing it himself might suffice. It is permissible to purchase a horse, mount, spear, and equipment for the fighter from Zakat funds because the Zakat has been spent in the cause of Allah, similar to giving it to the fighter who then purchases these items.
Supporting text
The administrator should not purchase a horse to be permanently dedicated (habīs) in the cause of Allah, nor a house, nor an estate for stationing/guarding (ribāt) for the mujāhidūn. This is because the administrator is commanded to render the Zakat to the recipients, not dedicate it himself. Furthermore, a man is prohibited from fighting using the horse purchased from his own Zakat funds, as he cannot make himself a recipient of his own Zakat, just as he cannot settle his own debt with it. Once he takes the horse purchased by the Zakat, he becomes the recipient of that Zakat.