Zakat, one of the fundamental pillars of Islam, is not merely a charitable act—it is a divinely mandated right (HAQQ.) of the poor upon the wealth of the affluent. The Qur’an clearly outlines its recipients in Surah At-Tawbah (9:60), placing the poor (FUQRA) and needy (MASAKIN) at the forefront. This emphasis reflects the primary objective of Zakat: to alleviate poverty and ensure social justice. However, in many regions today particularly in areas with a dense network of religious institutions such as Darul Uloom’s a critical question arises Is Zakat still reaching the poor in society, or is it increasingly being absorbed by institutions Over time, a strong culture has developed where people prefer to give their Zakat to religious institutions, especially Darul Uloom’s. These institutions undoubtedly play a vital role in preserving Islamic knowledge, nurturing scholars, and maintaining religious identity. Yet, as their numbers increase, so does their financial dependence on Zakat. This creates a structural shift Instead of Zakat flowing directly to the poor, It is increasingly being channeled into institutions. The Crucial Principle According to the Hanafi school of thought, Zakat must involve tam leek (transfer of ownership) to an eligible individual. This means Zakat must make a poor person the owner of the fund It cannot simply be used for general institutional expenses While it is permissible to give Zakat to a poor student, the key condition remains the student must personally receive and own the Zakat. And spend it accordingly among his daily needs or institutional or personal needs though what so ever the form may be Directly funding institutions without fulfilling this condition risks invalidating the spirit—and sometimes even the legality of Zakat.

As more Darul Uloom’s emerge and expand, their financial needs grow. If a significant portion of Zakat is consistently directed toward sustaining these institutions, a serious concern arises are the poorest members of society being unintentionally sidelined In many communities:

Widows struggle silently
Daily wage earners barely meet their needs
Orphans lack basic support

Yet, these individuals often remain outside organized Zakat networks, while institutions receive structured and continuous funding. This creates an imbalance The most visible recipients become institutions The most deserving recipients risk becoming invisible as if they are not having any authorization to receive the zakat while giving zakat to a institute or a dar ul uloom one thinks it is his way to Jannah as it is the acceptance but rather ignoring what Islam has taught us.
Zakat is not just a financial transaction it is a moral and social system designed to:

Redistribute wealth
Reduce inequality
Preserve human dignity

When its distribution becomes overly institutionalized, two risks emerge:
Concentration of resources in organized bodies
Marginalization of unorganized poverty

Even if institutions serve noble purposes, the primary (right) of the poor must not be overshadowed, A Call for Balance, Not Rejection This is not an argument against Darul Ulooms. Their role is essential and valuable. Rather, it is a call for balance and accountability:
Zakat should prioritize direct support to the poor and needy
Institutions should ensure strict compliance with tam leek
Communities should develop systems to identify and support hidden poverty
Zakat is not a donation it is a right that must reach its rightful owners, not remain confined within walls of institutions.
When institutions grow but the poor remain hungry, we must ask:
Are we preserving religion, or neglecting its purpose?
The growth of Darul Uloom’s should not result in the lack of justice for the poor
If Zakat stops reaching the weakest, then the very of this pillar is at risk.
A system where buildings are sustained but people are struggling is a system that needs reflection not celebration.
The poor do not need our sympathy they need what Allah has already made obligatory for them in our wealth.
Every rupee of Zakat diverted away from a deserving is not just a financial misplacement it is a moral responsibility left unfulfilled.
Institutions are important, but they are not the primary recipient of Zakat the poor are.
If we fail to see the hungry around us but continue funding structures, then our priorities demand serious correction.
Zakat was meant to break cycles of poverty, not create cycles of dependency on institutional systems alone.
The real test is not how many Darul Ulooms we sustain, but how many lives we uplift from poverty.
A healthy model would be People-first distribution, with institutions acting as facilitators not primary recipients The increase in Darul Uloom’s has undoubtedly strengthened religious education. But it has also introduced a challenge: ensuring that Zakat does not drift away from its original purpose. If the current trend continues unchecked, there is a real risk that The most deserving may receive the least. Zakat must remain what it was meant to be a lifeline for the poor, not merely a funding stream for institutions. The responsibility lies with scholars, institutions, and the public alike to restore this balance so that the right of the poor is not only acknowledged, but truly fulfilled.

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