Can one Give Charity to Non-Muslims?

Answered by: Shaykh Umer Khan

Question

Assalamualaykum.

I pray you’re all well.

I wanted to ask that when you give non-Muslims financial aid etc. is this nafl sadaqah? What is it counted as?

Obviously, you don’t give zakat but I was just wondering as my husband has a non-Muslim friend whose wife has just been diagnosed with cancer.

Jzk

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

You are correct: zakāh cannot be given to non-Muslims.

However, it is permissible to give charity (ṣadaqah) to needy non-Muslims as a supererogatory (nafl) act of virtue. A Muslim helps all those in need, not just other Muslims. The Prophet ﷺ is reported to have said: “There is a reward for serving any living being”.[1]

Only Allah knows best

Written by Shaykh Umer Khan

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham