Spending some of the money of Zakah on the employees of the Institution in the form of salaries or bonuses

Fatwa no. 21716 All praise be to Allah alone, and peace and blessings of Allah be upon the Last of the Prophets, Muhammad. To proceed:The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta' has reviewed the question received by his Eminence the Grand Mufty from the Directress of the Thaqif Girls Institution for Women's Charity in Al-Ta'if, and referred to the Secretariat General of the Council of Senior Scholars, numbered (5491) and dated 2 Ramadan, 1421 A.H. (Part No. 8; Page No. 400) The questioner asked the following:We, at the Thaqif Girls Institution for Women's Charity in Al-Ta'if, provide care and support to the needy people in Al-Ta'if and its suburbs. The income of this Institution is generated from its general activities, money of Zakah (obligatory charity), donations and the subsidies of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. Every year at the end of Ramadan, the Institution disburses bonus to all female employees from its balance, which accumulates from the profits of its various activities. Moreover, the Institution disburses money to the drivers and female workers from the funds of Zakah and donations. We hope to continue giving these bonuses to the deserving people due to the heavy work load in Ramadan and as a gesture to motivate and appreciate the employees' services. I hope that your Eminence will guide us regarding the validity of our gesture.May Allah reward you with the best and keep you safe!

Upon considering the Fatwa request, the Committee answered that it is not permissible to spend the money of Zakah on the employees of the Institution in the form of salaries or bonuses. Zakah funds should be spent on the legal categories of recipients, which Allah (Glorified be He) specified in the following Ayah (Qur'anic verse): As-Sadaqât (here it means Zakât) are only for the Fuqarâ’ (poor), and the Masâkin (needy) and those employed to collect (the funds), and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islâm), and to free the captives, and for those in debt, and for Allâh’s Cause, and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allâh. And Allâh is All-Knower, All-Wise. (Part No. 8; Page No. 401) May Allah grant us success. May Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and his Companions!