May One Give Zakat To Non-Muslims?
May one give zakat to non-Muslims?
Majority of fiqh scholars including the imams of four great schools achieved a consensus that zakat cannot be given to non-Muslims. Because, essentially zakat is the rightful share of the poor Muslims (Kasani, Bada’i, II, 49; Nawawi al-Majmu, VI, 197; al-Fatawa al-Hindiyyah, I, 207; Ibn Nujaym, al-Bahr , II, 261).
However “muallafat al-qulub”, whose hearts are to be reconciled to Islam, is listed in the Qur’an among the eligible recipients of zakat (Tawbah, 9/60). Besides, the Prophet Muhammad (saw) allocated a share from zakat or other state incomes to those whose hearts are desired to be reconciled to Islam. (Bukhari, Fardh al-Humus, 19; Tirmidhi, Zakat, 30)
Some people demanded a share from zakat income from the Head of State Abu Bakr after the demise of Prophet Muhammad (saw). Upon learning about the situation, Umar (ra) cited as, “Say, ‘The truth is from your Lord”: Let him who will believe, and let him who will, reject (it).’” (Kahf, 18/29) and rejected their demand stating that there was no muallafat al-qulub anymore (See. Kasani, Bada’i, II, 45; Zaylai, Nasbu Raya, II, 394-395; Ali al-Qari, Fathu Bab al Inaya, I, 530).
For this reason, majority of fiqh scholars reached the conclusion that the share mentioned in the 60th verse of Surah al-Tawbah was not to be applied anymore based on the fact that any share was not allocated to this category (Ibn Abi Shayba al-Musannaf, IV, 361) in the age of the four rightly-guided caliphts and the mentioned judicial opinion of Umar. However the reason why Umar rejected those who demanded a share of zakat from muallafat al-qulub category is not because the ruling of the regarding verse was abolished but because he did not consider them in that category.
Therefore, it may be considered appropriate today as well to give zakat to non-Muslims as “muallafat al-qulub” to reconcile their hearts to Islam, to ensure that no harm will come from them, or are hoped that they will be beneficial to Muslims. Scholars defending that zakat may be given to this category say that an act in this direction depends on the decision of government authorities; zakat could be given to the muallafat al-qulub if deemed appropriate by them, and that it might be needed from time to time (Qaradawi, Fiqh Zakat II, 607-608).
Source: Presidency Of Religious Affairs The Turkey, High Board of Religious Affairs FATWA
