Can Muslims give Zakat to non-Muslims?

[sharif110]

Alsalamu alaykum

إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّـهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ اللَّـهِ  وَاللَّـهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ.

Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakah] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler - an obligation [imposed] by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise. [The Quran, 9:60]

As for where Zakat money must be spent, the Grand Ayatullahs have said:

“Zakat can be spent for the following eight purposes:

a) It may be given to poor person, who does not possess actual or potential means to meet his own expenses, as well as that of his family for a period of one year. However, a person who has an industry or possesses property or capital to meet his expenses, is not classified as poor.

b) It may be paid to a miskin (a destitute person) who leads a harder life than a Faqir (a poor person).

c) It can be given to a person who is a Wakil of the Holy Imam (A.S.) or his representative to collect Zakat, to keep it in safe custody, to maintain its accounts and to deliver it to the Imam or his representative or to the poor.

d) It can be given to those non-Muslims who may, as a result, be inclined to Islam, or may assist the Muslims with the Zakat for fighting against the enemies.

e) It can be spent to purchase slaves to set them free.

f) It can be given to an indebted person who is unable to repay his debt.

g) It may be spent in the way of Allah for things which have common benefit to the Muslims in any way.

h) It may be given to a stranded traveler.”

On this basis, Islam has introduced those purposes for which the Zakat can be disposed for; the poor and the destitute being some of them.

Another one of the groups that the money can be spent on are the non-Muslims who will find an incline towards Islam if they are granted from it.

Regarding paying non-Muslims of this money, Islamic scholars have said: “Paying Zakat to non-Muslims who will be inclined towards Islam or will help the Muslims in the case of possible wars is permissible.”

For more info visit:

http://islamportal.net/node/29350 

http://www.islamquest.net/en/archive/question/fa6609 

 

[Endtimes]

 

Salam Alaykum brother.

Please rephrase  the title of this post, why would you pose it as a question when you already have the answer and have posted it.