Paying the money of Zakah to the Committee on Diabetes

Q: I write to you concerning the Committee on Diabetes, especially in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, as there are a large number of poor and Miskins (needy) suffering from this disease who cannot afford to the treatment. Most of them cannot to buy the insulin necessary for their treatment. Allah (Exalted be He) granted me and other brothers success in establishing an association to help these patients by buying their prescribed drugs for them. We would like your Eminence to inform us whether or not it is permissible for us to pay the money of Zakah (obligatory charity) for this purpose.

A: Zakah should be paid to the people deserving of it, who use it to fulfill their needs whether that is medical treatment or something else. You should not pay it for this association, because in doing so you withhold Zakah from other deserving people. The association should be financed by the charitable donations other than Zakah. (Part No. 8; Page No. 392) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.