Is it permissible to spend Zakat funds on public works like building mosques, bridges, or repairing roads?
Chapter on Zakat on Sheep
Al-Mughni
Book of Zakat
Primary text
It is not permissible to allocate Zakat funds to those not explicitly mentioned by God, such as building mosques, conduits (qanātir), water sources (siqāyāt), repairing roads, sealing breaches (buthūq), shrouding the dead, or hosting guests. This prohibition is based on the divine statement: {Indeed, the charities (sadaqāt) are only for the poor and the needy} (Quran 9:60). The particle 'innama' (only/indeed) implies restriction and affirmation, confirming what is mentioned and negating what is outside that category.
Supporting text
Anas and Al-Hasan stated that what is spent on bridges and roads counts as ongoing charity (sadaqa māḍiyah). However, the first opinion is sounder.