Is it permissible for a charitable organization to take a percentage from donations, whether restricted or general, to cover its administrative expenses such as office rent and the cost of publications, in the absence of salaries for employees?

Conditional donations must be spent entirely on the cause specified by the donor. The charitable organization acts as an agent for the donor, and an agent may only act within the scope of the authority granted to them. It is not permissible to violate the donor's condition, which is similar to the obligation to adhere to the condition of an endower (waqif). As for general charities for which the donor did not specify a particular recipient, the organization may take from them what it needs for its general expenses, because this falls within the scope of general charity and helps the organization continue its benevolent work.