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  • Can Zakat Be Given To Non-Muslims?

    Umer updated 1 year, 7 months ago 4 Members · 9 Replies
  • Umer

    Moderator June 24, 2020 at 3:03 pm
  • Umer

    Moderator June 24, 2020 at 3:04 pm
  • $ohail T@hir

    Moderator June 24, 2020 at 7:26 pm

    Some people are of the view that zakāh cannot be spent on Non-Muslims. This view is not correct.

    The following Qur’ānic verse spells out the heads under which zakāh can be expended:


    إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاء وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ اللّهِ وَاللّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ (60:9)

    Zakah is only for the poor and the needy, and for those who are ‘amils over it, and for those whose hearts are to be reconciled [to the truth], and for the emancipation of the slaves and for those who have been inflicted with losses and for the way of Allah and for the wayfarers. (9:60)

    It is evident from the verse quoted above that the Qur’ān does not discriminate between the recipients of zakāh on the basis of their beliefs or religion. In other words, zakāh money can be given to any needy person whatever his religion is.

    • Sharjeel Haider

      Member April 12, 2023 at 11:30 am

      for those whose hearts are to be reconciled [to the truth],

      Many ulma’s opinion is that non-muslims are not eligible for zakat and they quote the above line from 9:60 that only those non-muslims are eligible who are inclined towrads islam. what are your thoughts about that?

    • Umer

      Moderator April 13, 2023 at 1:24 pm

      الْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ (al-muallafat-i qulubuhum) refers to all political expenditures in the interest of Islam and the Muslims. It is the opposite actually, because it is the only head of Zakat which is religion specific, all the rest of the heads are general in nature and they apply to Muslims and Non-Muslims equally, whether they are in the form of a traveller or exist as poor and needy in the society.

      Please see for further details on the heads of Zakat:

      Discussion 49509 • Reply 49515

    • Sharjeel Haider

      Member April 20, 2023 at 7:06 am

      Can you provide me details about how the following refers to political expenditures and not for only those non-muslims who are inclined towards Islam as the translations suggest “for those whose hearts are to be reconciled [to the truth]” and how the reconciliation of hearts is linked to political expenditures?

      الْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ (al-muallafat-i qulubuhum) refers to all political expenditures in the interest of Islam and the Muslims.

    • Umer

      Moderator April 20, 2023 at 10:18 pm

      for those whose hearts are to be reconciled [to the truth]” cannot be applied to only non-muslims inclined towards Islam. It can also be applied to newly converted Muslims, Muslims who have had suffered a lot of hardship because of their religion (Islam). Infact there can be many other scenarios which can fall in this head with changed time and circumstances. Therefore, the nature of this expenditure is poltitical, whose application w.r.t different circumstances is to be decided by the state.

  • Gumiho Ki

    Member May 10, 2021 at 1:54 pm

    Can a muslim daughter pay zakah to her nonmuslim mother if she is needy?

    • Umer

      Moderator May 10, 2021 at 1:59 pm

      Yes, she can.

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