Question
Is it permissible to give zakat for digging a water well in distant countries? What is the best place to give zakat?
Answer
I say, and with God's help: It is not permissible to give zakat for digging wells; because the condition for zakat is ownership for the poor, and this condition is not present in digging a well, unless the well is owned by the poor or the needy, in which case it is permissible. And God knows best.