Giving zakah money towards teaching the Arabic language
Question
I live in a European country where an association for Egyptians was established. Is it permissible to give my zakat money to this association especially since it teaches Arabic language to the children of Egyptian expatriates?
Answer
Zakah is one of the pillars upon which Islam is based and its eight expenditures were determined in the holy Qur`an:
Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakat] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler—an obligation [imposed] by Allah, And Allah is Knowing and Wise [At-Tawbah, 60].
Based on this, there is no legal impediment to giving part of zakat according to what suffices this association and those who are in charge of it if:
-it teaches the Arabic language and Islamic sciences and has no other source of income.
-The instructors are not volunteers and need financial assistance.
The above answers the question and God the Almighty knows best.