| Bismillah
Al-jawab billahi at-taufeeq (the answer with Allah’s guidance)
The Meaning of Zakat:
Transferring ownership of an amount of material wealth specified by the Lawgiver to a Specified person (poor Muslim and the remainder rightful recipients who is not Hashimi (those from the family of the Prophet) nor their patron, without any material benefit returning to the giver in any way (such as, one cannot give Zakat to one’s parents, children, or spouse, because benefits between these people are shared), for the sake of Allah Most High. (Nurul Idhah Pg.153, Hashiyat Tahtawi Pg. 713)
Allah Ta’ala says,
“The Sadaqat (prescribed alms) are (meant) only to be given to the poor, the needy, to those employed to collect them, to those whose hearts are to be won, in the cause of the slaves and those encumbered with debt, in the way of Allah and to a wayfarer. This is an obligation prescribed by Allah. Allah is all knowing, wise.” (Noble Quran 9:60, Mufti Taqi )
The verse has laid down eight categories in which Zakah may be applied. As for Muallafat Qulubuhum (those whose hearts are to be won (Islam)) meaning, a person who has recently embraced Islam and needs financial support. This has been abrogated and there is Ijma’ (consensus) on this, because Allah Ta’ala gave strengh to Islam and made it free of their need. (Al Hidayah Vol.1, Book of Zakat)
There is Ijma’ (consensus) that non-Muslims should not be given of the money of Zakah.
The prohibition of giving them of the Zakah money is based on the hadith of Mu`adh Ibn Jabal (RadhiyAllahu Anhu) when he was sent by the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) to Yemen: “It (Zakah) is to be taken from the rich among them and given to the poor among them,” i.e. the rich among Muslims and the poor among them. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Also, Imam Abu Hanifah (Rahmatullahi Alaih) holds that other types of Sadaqah can be paid to the Dhimmis.
(See: Al Hidayah Vol.1, Book of Zakah, Chapter: Persons to whom Sadaqat (Zakat) can and cannot be paid)
And Only Allah Ta’ala Knows Best.
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Moulana Qamruz Zaman
London, UK
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