Is it permissible to spend Zakat al-Fitr on Dawah (Islamic proselytizing/call to Islam)?
The recipients of Zakat al-Fitr are the same as those mentioned in the verse from Surat At-Tawbah: "Indeed, [prescribed] charitable donations are only to be given to the poor and the needy, and to those who work on [collecting] them, and to those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and to free slaves and debtors, and in the cause of Allah, and to the stranded traveler; a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise." The foremost among these recipients are the poor and the needy, based on the statement of Ibn Abbas: "The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, ordained Zakat al-Fitr as a purification for the fasting person from idle talk and obscenity, and as food for the needy." It is not permissible to pay Zakat al-Fitr for the purpose of da'wah (inviting to Allah), because "in the cause of Allah" specifically refers to jihad, according to the soundest opinion.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/44348