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Giving Sadaqah (charity) To Non-Muslims


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Question: Can sadaqah or any financial help be given to non-muslims?

Alhamdulillah..

It is permissible to give charity – other than the obligatory charity (zakaah etc.) – to poor non-Muslims, especially if they are relatives, on condition that they do not belong to people who are in a state of war against us and have not committed acts of aggression that would preclude our treating them kindly. 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. It is only as regards those who fought against you on account of religion, and have driven you out of your homes, and helped to drive you out, that Allaah forbids you to befriend them. And whosoever will befriend them, then such are the Zaalimoon (wrongdoers those who disobey Allaah.”

Surah Mumtahinah (60), ayat 8-9.

Narrated Asma' bint Abu Bakr (ra):

My mother came to me during the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and she was a Mushrikah (polytheist, idolatress, pagan). I said to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) (seeking his verdict), "My mother has come to and she desires to recieve a reward from me, shall I keep good relations with her ?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Yes, keep good relation with her."

Sahih al Bukhari, book of gifts, hadith - 2624.

It was narrated that a Jewish woman came begging to ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) and she gave her something. The Jewish woman said to ‘Aa’ishah, “May Allaah protect you from the punishment of the grave.” ‘Aa’ishah did not like that, and when she saw the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) sheasked him about it and he said “No.” ‘Aa’ishah said: “Then later on, the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘It has been revealed to me that you will be tried in your graves.’”

Musnad Ahmad, no. 24815. 

These two ahaadeeth indicate that it is permissible to give non-obligatory charity to the kuffaar.

Imaam al-Shaafa'i said: “There is nothing wrong with giving charity to a mushrik as a naafilah (supererogatory) action, but he has no right to charity from the obligatory (zakaah). Allaah praised people who, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): ‘… they give food, inspite of their love for it (or for the love of Him), to the Miskeen (the poor), the orphan, and the captive’ [al-Insaan 76:8].”

Kitab al Umm, volume-2.

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