Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Are we allowed to give money to non-Muslim religious organizations, intending to help them in their humanitarian work? For instance, a church group that serves thanksgiving dinner for the homeless, or helps them build homes, etc. Also, what about groups whose activities indirectly help the Ummah, such as anti-Zionist Jewish groups that help us to organize rallies and speak out against Israel? Do we have to make sure it doesn’t go to their proselytizing efforts or is it enough that we make the intention to help their humanitarian work or political activity.
Walaikum assalaam,
The scholars mention that the Qur’anic command to “cooperate in righteousness” applies to cooperating with non-Muslims in promoting human good. As such, one can help humanitarian efforts, as long as there aren’t strong reasons not to (such as the group having an immoral agenda, etc.).
Similarly, one should be careful with Church groups, because a lot of their humanitarian efforts have missionary underpinnings, as I found when I worked for almost two years with Catholic missionaries on an African news service.
Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani