Assisting non-Muslims with Zakaat
Question:-
Can we use Zakaat money to help the poor non-Muslims to build their homes, especially at the time of disaster i.e. cyclones or floods etc.? We understand that Zakaat should only be given to Muslims.
However, in extreme cases of disaster, does the Fatwa remain the same, or could you give Zakaat to non-Muslims in such scenarios?
Answer:-
It is not permissible to assist non-Muslims with Zakaat funds.[1]. This can be understood from the following narrations:
عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ أَنَّ النَّبِي – صلى الله عليه وسلم – لَمَّا بَعَثَ مُعَاذًا إِلَى الْيَمَنِ قَال: (إِنكَ تَقْدَمُ عَلَى قَوْمٍ أَهْلِ كِتَابٍ، فَلْيَكُنْ أَوَّلَ مَا تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَيهِ عِبَادَةُ اللهِ، فَإِذَا عَرَفُوا اللهَ، فَأَخْبِرْهُمْ أَنَّ اللهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فَرَضَ عَلَيهِمْ خَمْسَ صَلَوَاتٍ في يَوْمِهِمْ وَلَيلَتِهِمْ، فَإِذَا فَعَلُوا، قَأَخْبِرْهُمْ أَنَّ اللهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ قَدْ فَرَضَ عَلَيهِمْ زَكَاةً تُؤْخَذُ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ فَتُرَدُّ عَلَى فُقَرَائِهِمْ، فَإِذَا أَطَاعُوا بِهَا، فَخُذْ مِنْهُمْ، وَتَوَقَّ كَرَائِمَ أَمْوَالِهِمْ)
Abdullah bin Abbas Radiallahu Anhu narrates that when Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam sent Muaaz Radiallahu Anhu to Yemen he said, “You will come to a nation that are people of the book (Jews and Christians.) The first thing that you should invite them towards is the worship of one Allah. When they recognize Allah Ta’ala, then inform them that Allah has made the five daily Salaah obligatory upon them. If they fulfil their obligation, then inform them that Allah has made Zakaat obligatory upon them, which will be taken from their wealthy (Muslims) and be given to the poor (Muslims) amongst them. If they obey in this regard, then take from them and refrain from their precious wealth. (Tirmidhi)
عن سعيد بن جبير رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلي الله عليه وسلم: لا تصدقوا الا على اهل دينكم، فانزل الله تعالي {ليس عليك هداهم} -الي قوله- {وما تنفقوا من خير يوف اليكم} قال رسول الله صلي الله عليه وسلم: تصدقوا على اهل الأديان (المصنف لابن شيبة ج٦ص٥١٣)
Saeed bin Jubair Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “Do not give charity except to the people of your religion.” Allah Ta’ala revealed the verse, “Their guidance is not your duty but Allah guides whoever He wills. Whatever good you spend is for yourselves. You should spend only in search of Allah’s pleasure. Whatever good you spend shall be repaid to you in full and you will not be oppressed.” Thereafter Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, “Give optional charity to the people of other religions.”
عن إبراهيم بن مهاجر قال: سالت إبراهيم عن الصدقة على غير اهل الإسلام، فقال: اما الزكاة فلا، واما ان شاء رجل ان يتصدق فلا باس (المصنف لابن شيبة ج٦ص٥١٣)
Ibraaheem bin Muhaajir narrates, “I asked Ibrahim in regards to giving charity to non-Muslims. He replied, ‘It will not be permissible to discharge Zakaat to them. However, if a person intends discharging optional Sadaqah to them, then there is no harm in doing so,’.”
عن إبراهيم قال لا تعطهم من الزكاة واعطهم من التطوع (المصنف لابن شيبه ج٦ ص٥١٣)
Ibrahim Rahimahullah states, “Do not give them (the non-Muslims) from the Zakaat but give them from the optional (Nafl) charity.”
عن جابر بن زيد قال: لا تعط اليهودي والنصراني من الزكاة، ولا باس ان تتصدق عليهم (المصنف لابن شيبه ج٦ ص٥١٣)
Jaabir bin Zaid says, “Do not give a Jew or Christian from the wealth of Zakaat, but there is no harm in giving them Nafl Sadaqah.”
In conclusion, only poor Muslims who do not possess the Nisaab, are eligible to receive Zakaat funds. Yes, the non-Muslims may also be assisted but with optional Sadaqah.
[1] لا يجوز دفع الزكاة الي ذمي (زيلعي ج١ ص٣٠٠)
واما اهل الذمة فلا يجوز صرف الزكاة إليهم بالاتفاق (الفتاوي الهندية ج ١ ص١٨٨)
فتاوي محموديه ج ٩ ص٥٦٦
كتاب النوازل ج ٧ص١٢٢
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Maulana Ahmed Saeed
Date: 22 Shabaan 1444 / 15 March 2023
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai