We intend setting up a clinic for very poor Muslims.

Answer

The fundamental requisite for the discharge of Zakaat is that a poor Muslim must be made the owner of the Zakaat. As long as the poor have not been made the owners, the Zakaat will remain undischarged. If Zakaat is given to a clinic and the medicines bought with Zakaat funds is used also for non-Muslims, then the Zakaat obligation will not be discharged. If the Zakaat-medicine is used for such Muslims who are not entitled to accept Zakaat, then too, the Zakaat will not be discharged. As long as the medicine bought with Zakaat funds remains unused, the Zakaat will not be discharged. It is not permissible to pay wages with the Zakaat funds nor is it permissible to use any portion of the Zakaat for the running expenses of the clinic. The medicine purchased with Zakaat funds should be stored separately. Medicine acquired with Lillaah funds should be used for non-Muslims. Running expenses must be borne by the Lillaah fund. The system should be meticulous. If the clinic complies with all these Islamic rules, it will be permissible to give them Zakaat otherwise not.