Question:
If a person has enough money to build a Masjid, but he has relatives who are renting, should the person donate the money to build the Masjid? Or he should give the money to his relatives in order to build a home?
Answer:
In the name of Allah the Ever-Merciful.
Building a Masjid will take priority.
Now, if the relatives are really needy so they are not able pay for their rent or to buy food for their family members, then and only then, helping them with the rent takes priority. Otherwise, the building of the Masjid will have the priority as instructed by Allah in Surah At-Taubah (9:60).
In Surah At-Taubah (9:60), Allah mentions the order to follow when spending the Zakat:
” As a matter of fact, Zakat collections are only for the needy and the indigent, and for those who are employed to collect them and for those whose hearts are to be won over and the ransoming of slaves and for helping the debtors and for the way of Allah and for the hospitality of the wayfarers.”
Allah knows best.
Fatwa by: Sheik Mustafa @ Masjid Manhattan