Q: Are Muslims allowed to donate their Zakāh to hospitals and clinics?
الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب
A: The obligation of Zakāh is only discharged when one makes an eligible recipient owner of the Zakāh. Whilst hospitals and clinics can be worthwhile causes they do not themselves qualify as eligible recipients. However, if the hospital or clinic uses Zakāh funds to buy medicines and then makes poor recipients owners of the medicines before they are administered to the recipient or gives the funds to the poor recipient to purchase the medicine needed or to pay for the treatment needed then Zakāh can be given to such hospitals or clinics[1].
[1] For a more detailed explanation, please read the Zakah and Welfare Projects research paper on www.alqalam.org.uk