It is not permissible to give zakaah on one’s wealth or crops, or Zakaat al-Fitr, to kaafirs, even if they are poor, or wayfarers, or debtors, and if one who gives zakaah to them, that is not counted as zakaah.
It is permissible to give regular charity – not obligatory charity (i.e., zakaah) to poor kaafirs, and to exhange gifts and with them and treat them well to soften their hearts towards Islam, so long as they have not carried out any hostile actions against the Muslims, which would disallow that. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Allaah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion nor drove you out of your homes. Verily, Allaah loves those who deal with equity”
[al-Mumtahanah 60:8]
There is one category of zakaah that may be given to the kuffaar, which is “to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam)” (cf. al-Tawbah 9:60). It is permissible to give zakaah funds to those kaafirs who hold positions of authority and influence among their people, if there is the hope that by giving them something they may become Muslims, then those who are under them may become Muslim too.
WaAlaykumus Salaam Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuh,
If your money will end up going to Kaafirs, for example if you live in a non muslim country then this is not allowed.
IslamQA
WaAlaykumus Salaam![]()
"Yet, having many people who qualify as poor and needy, we may resort to the following four criteria to help select between them:
1- The degree of need, a starving person must be given priority.
2- The person's relation to the payer of Zakah: a relative is preferred over non-relative (the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: 'It is Zakah and a link [to the heart of a relative].' A neighbor is also given priority.
3- The degree of religiosity of the receiver: this is within the spirit of the advice of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): 'And let your food not be eaten except by a pious person.'
4- Availability of other sources for a specific poor/needy.
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