Can fitrah and zakah be given to non-Muslims?
Can fitrah and zakah be given to non-Muslims?
Dear Brother / Sister,
Zakah and fitrah cannot be given to non-Muslims. For, zakah is the right of poor Muslims. The Prophet (pbuh) stated the following in a hadith:
"Take zakah from rich Muslims and give it to poor Muslims."
Therefore, non-Muslims are not obliged to give zakah. This worshipping is a social duty peculiar to Muslims. Those who do not take part in this duty cannot benefit from it.
However, Imam Zufar regards it permissible for zakah to be given to dhimmis (non-Muslims under the Islamic administration). For, the purpose of zakah is to meet the needs of the needy through a way of worshipping. This purpose is fulfilled when zakah is given to poor dhimmis. Besides, it is unanimously agreed that sadaqah, which is regarded as nafilah worshipping, can be given to dhimmis.
In addition, zakah and fitrah can be given to non-Muslims whose hearts are to be reconciled with Islam.
These people, who are known as “Muallafa al-qulub”, are the people whose hearts are wanted to be reconciled with Islam, whose harms are tried to be avoided or who are expected to help Muslims.
Acting upon an ijtihad of Hz. Umar, Hanafi scholars say that this practice was annulled after the death of the Prophet (pbuh).
Hanbali scholars say that the decree about muallafa al-qulub is permanent and a certain share of zakah can be given to them.
Some contemporary Islamic scholars say that there are some people who can be regarded as muallafa al-qulub today and that it is necessary to allocated a certain share of zakah to them.
Questions on Islam
- Is the money given to non-Muslims to help them or as charity regarded as sadaqah? Or, should we give it to others?
- Can sadqah money be given to non-muslims?
- Is it permissible to help the poor people regardless of their religion and race?
- MUALLAFA AL-QULUB (THOSE WHOSE HEARTS ARE TO BE RECONCILED WITH ISLAM)
- To whom is zakah given? Can we deduct the things that we give as gifts from the amount of zakah?
- Can sadaqah, zakah, fitrah be given to poor non-Muslims?
- What is Sadaqah al-Fitr (Fitrah)?
- Can a person give zakah to his mother, father, sisters, brothers and other relatives?
- To whom is zakah given? What are the people and places that zakah can be given? Is it appropriate to give zakah to associations, charity organizations, Quran schools, students and student hostels?
- Is it permissible to make niyyah (intention) for something given as sadaqah without the intention of zakah or fitrah as zakah or fitrah afterwards?
