The Ruling on Placing Zakah in a Waqf

Question:
This questioner asks, Shaykh Salih, and says: I have zakah and I want to place it in the channel of a waqf (endowment). Is that permissible?

Answer:
No, that is not permissible, because the waqf goes to other interests; it does not go specifically to the poor and the needy.
Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) specified the recipients of zakah in His saying: to the end of the verse. There are eight channels, and one does not go beyond them.
As for the waqf, it is spent on things that are not among the channels of zakah, even if they are charitable. Zakah is a pillar of Islam; indeed, it is the third pillar after the prayer, and it is the companion of the prayer in the Book of Allah. So the Muslim pays it out and places it in its channels. He does not place it in endowments, or in charitable associations, or in cooperative associations, even if these are places of good. But Allah specifically defined the expenditures of zakah, so it must be placed in them.
Because Allah restricted it to them in His saying: "Indeed, alms are only for..." to the end of the verse. And this indicates restriction. So the Muslim who has zakah must ensure that it reaches those who are entitled to it, and his obligation is not discharged except by that. Yes.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you. Honorable Shaykh