Can zakaat be given to a masjid or madrasah?

“In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh. At the outset, we wish to inform you that it is impermissible to use Zakaah funds for public welfare projects such as building mosques, schools, canals, bridges, etc.”

“For the validity of one’s Zakaat, it is necessary that the Zakaat be given in the ownership of a poor person that qualifies as a recipient of Zakaat. Fulfilling this requirement is not possible when donating one’s Zakaat to a Masjid hence it will not be permissible to donate one’s Zakaat to a Masjid.”

“If the organisation you are giving is a reliable organisation and they are distributing the zakaat to the poor correctly on behalf of the donors, then there is no problem if you give them your zakaat to discharge on your behalf.”