To give Zakah so that the poor

Q: Some brothers told me that they had some Zakah (obligatory charity) to distribute, but they complained that there were no poor people, according to the Islamic texts, who had a right to it. They asked us for a Fatwa as to whether it is permissible to spend it on Masjids (mosques) or not. The Ayah (Qur'anic verse) from Surah Al-Tawbah is clear about the eight categories of people that Zakah can be spent on. But Allah says: ...and for Allâh’s Cause Are Masjids included in "Allah's Cause", as a category for spending Zakah or not? Can we compare spending on Masjids to spending on Hajj based on the Hadith of Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him): "Hajj is in the Cause of Allah…" or not? Please give us your Fatwa.

(Part No. 10; Page No. 39) A: The words "in Allah's Cause" in the Ayah on the categories of spending Zakah refer to the Muslim Mujahids (those striving in the Cause of Allah) who fight to achieve victory for the religion and to raise the Word of Allah high. This includes spending on provisions, arms, and equipment necessary for Jihad (fighting in the cause of Allah). It is not correct to compare spending on building Masjids, restoring them, furnishing them, and such like, to what the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) mentioned when he said: "Hajj is in the Cause of Allah..." May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.