Islamic council issues fatwa permitting zakat donations to support Muslim and anti-Israel candidates

On Jan. 30, the Fiqh Council of North America issued a fatwa stating that Muslims can direct their annual zakat - the 2.5% wealth tax - to political campaigns of Muslim or anti-Israel candidates, citing Quranic categories that permit giving to those whose "hearts need to be softened" toward Islam. The decree emphasizes that only reputable zakat collectors may handle the money and that the purpose is to empower Muslim minorities in non-Islamic governments.

Council chairman Yasir Qadhi linked the guidance to the need for U.S. policymakers to curb military aid to Israel and support pro-Palestinian legislators. Following the ruling, Abdul El-Sayed raised a record $4.56 million in Q2 2026, far outpacing rivals Haley Stevens and Mallory McMorrow. The council’s affiliations with the Islamic Society of North America, which was named in the Holy Land Foundation terrorism-financing case, and the involvement of figures like Mohammad Qatanani and Tayeb Jukaku underscore broader concerns about extremist ties. Some FCNA jurists issued a dissent, arguing the ruling turns zakat into a perpetual political subsidy.