Answered by Muftī Yūsuf Badāt
Question:
Can zakāh be used to support poor non-muslims at food banks and shelters in Canada?
Answer:
In the Name of Allāh, the Almighty, the Most Merciful, the Most Kind.
From the various Islamic juristic views related to zakāh charity and its use, one valid view is that it is permissible to use zakāh for poor non-muslims as well, in particular situations.
Specifically in Canada, muslims are a minority and our charity should also support local needs to address poverty and food insecurity in the communities we live in. One of the instructions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) regarding zakāh is to take it from the wealthy and return it back to the poor of the same community.
Almighty Allāh states that one of the recipient categories of zakāh are the non-muslims to establish a bonding connection of hearts, through the Islamic tenant of the zakāh charity. – (See: Qur’ān 9:60)[1]
“Allāh has made it obligatory for them to pay the zakāh from their property and it is to be taken from the wealthy among them and given to their poor.” – (Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhārī 1395)[2]
Anas (may Allāh be pleased with him) reports that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gave zakāh to non-muslims whenever there was a need. – (See: Nayl Al-Awṭār, Vol 4, Page 166, Al-Maṭba’ah Al-Uthmāniyyah[3])
Jābir Ibn Zayd (may Allāh be pleased with him) was asked about where zakāh funds are to be distributed. He responded, “The poor muslim and non-muslim citizens. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would also distribute zakāh and khums (war spoils) amongst non-muslim citizens as well.” – (Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah 10702)[4]
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Give charity to people of all faiths.” – (Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah 1069)[5]
Omar Ibn Khattāb (may Allāh be pleased with him) said regarding the zakāh verse, Sūrah Tawbah number 60, “It also includes the poor of the Jews and Christians.” – (Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah 10699)[6]
The known Ḥanafī jurist, Imām Zufar (may Allāh be pleased with him) permits discharging zakāh to poor non-muslims saying that the objective of zakāh is to provide for the needs of the poor as an act of worship and this is obtained with both, the poor muslim and non-muslim. – (See: Al-Mabsūṭ, Vol 2, Page 202, Dār Al-Ma’arifah)[7]
The great Qur’ānic expert, Imām Al-Qurtubīy (may Allāh have mercy on him) writes, “The generality of the word ‘poor’ [in the zakāh verse] does not necessitate the meaning of muslim only, leaving aside the non-muslim”. He then proceeds to give a few examples of the Prophet’s Companions and the pious predecessors who attested to discharging zakāh to poor non-muslims as well. – (See: Tafsīr Al-Qurṭubīy, Vol 8, Page 174, Dār Al-Kutub Al-Miṣriyyah)[8]
The zakāh category of muallafat al-qulūb “connecting people’s hearts” will remain in effect until judgment day. This category has never been abrogated nor non-existent. According to the need of the time, it is practiced and applied.
It is permissible to use a portion of zakāh funds to be given to a non-muslim who is very close to accepting Islam. It is also allowed to assist non-muslims using zakāh funds, to provide relief to them if they have been affected by a calamity, poverty or natural disaster such as a flood or drought. – (See: Rad Al-Muḥtār, Vol 2, Page 342, Dār Al-Fikr[9], Jadīd Fiqhī Faiṣlay, Page 78, Majlis Taḥqīqāt Islāmīy, Fiqh Al-Zakāh Lī-Qarḍāwīy, Vol 2, Page 594-611, Muassasah Al-Risālah)
“Zakāh alms are only for the poor and the destitute, for those who collect zakāh, for conciliating people’s hearts, for freeing slaves, for those in debt, for spending for God’s cause, and for travellers in need. It is a legal obligation enjoined by God. God is All-Knowing and Wise.” – (Qur’ān 9:60)[10]
In Canada, it would be allowed to utilize zakāh for poor non-muslims with the following conditions:
- Firstly, general ṣadaqah funds should be prioritized for poor non-muslims, as there is more flexibility with ṣadaqah funds in contrast to zakāh funds.
- The intention for zakāh that is used for poor non-muslims should be ‘īlāf al-qulūb (establishing bonds, softening hearts, displaying islamic virtue to fellow non-muslims).
- Reliable muslim organizations and institutions should be the entities trusted to distribute the zakāh funds for this category. They can allocate funds for this category as per the need, while not ignoring the needs of poor muslims. Thus, staying within 33% for this zakāh category is ideal.
And Allāh Knows Best.
[1] إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ ۖ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ – سورة التوبة ٦٠
[2] أَنَّ اللَّهَ افْتَرَضَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَدَقَةً فِي أَمْوَالِهِمْ تُؤْخَذُ مِنْ أَغْنِيَائِهِمْ وَتُرَدُّ عَلَى فُقَرَائِهِمْ – رواه البخاري ١٣٩٥
[3] وروى الإمام أحمد عن أنس أن رسول الله لم يسأل شيئاً على الإسلام إلا أعطاه قال فأتاه رجل فأمر له بشاء كثير بين جبلين من شاء الصدقة قال فرجع إلى قومه فقال يا قوم أسلموا فإن محمداً صلى الله عليه وسلم يعطي عطاء ما يخشى الفاقة – نيل الاوطار ج٤/ ص ١٦٦ المطبعة العثمانية
[4] حدثنا يزيد بن هارون قال أخبرنا حبيب بن أبي حبيب عن عمرو بن هرم عن جابر بن زيد قال سئل عن الصدقة في من توضع فقال في أهل المسكنة من المسلمين وأهل ذمتهم وقال وقد كان رسول اللَّه ﷺ يقسم في أهل الذمة من الصدقة والخمس – كتاب المصنف ابن أبي شيبة ١٠٧٠٢
[5] وَمَا تُنْفِقُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ يُوَفَّ إلَيْكُمْ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ تَصَدَّقُوا عَلَى أَهْلِ الْأَدْيَانِ – كتاب المصنف ابن أبي شيبة ١٠٦٩ –
[6] حدثنا أبو معاوية عن عمر بن نافع عن أبي بكر العبسي عن عمر في قوله تعالى إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ التوبة ٦٠ قال هم زمني أهل الكتاب – كتاب المصنف ابن أبي شيبة ١٠٦٩٩
[7] وَلَا يُعْطَى مِنْ الزَّكَاةِ كَافِرٌ إلَّا عِنْدَ زُفَرَ رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى فَإِنَّهُ يُجَوِّزُ دَفْعَهَا إلَى الذِّمِّيِّ وَهُوَ الْقِيَاسُ لِأَنَّ الْمَقْصُودَ إغْنَاءُ الْفَقِيرِ الْمُحْتَاجِ عَلَى طَرِيقِ التَّقَرُّبِ، وَقَدْ حَصَلَ – كتاب المبسوط للسرخسي مجلد ٢/ صفحة ٢٠٢ دار المعرفة
[8] وَمُطْلَقُ لَفْظِ الْفُقَرَاءِ لَا يَقْتَضِي الِاخْتِصَاصَ بِالْمُسْلِمِينَ دُونَ أَهْلِ الذِّمَّةِ وَلَكِنْ تَظَاهَرَتِ الْأَخْبَارُ فِي أَنَّ الصَّدَقَاتِ تُؤْخَذُ مِنْ أَغْنِيَاءِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَتُرَدُّ فِي فُقَرَائِهِمْ وَقَالَ عِكْرِمَةُ الْفُقَرَاءُ فُقَرَاءُ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَالْمَسَاكِينُ فُقَرَاءُ أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ وَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ الْعَبْسِيُّ رَأَى عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ ذِمِّيًّا مَكْفُوفًا مَطْرُوحًا عَلَى بَابِ الْمَدِينَةِ فَقَالَ لَهُ عُمَرُ مالك؟ قَالَ اسْتَكْرُونِي فِي هَذِهِ الْجِزْيَةِ حَتَّى إِذَا كُفَّ بَصَرِي تَرَكُونِي وَلَيْسَ لِي أَحَدٌ يَعُودُ عَلَيَّ بِشَيْءٍ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ مَا أُنْصِفْتَ إِذًا فَأَمَرَ لَهُ بِقُوَّتِهِ وَمَا يُصْلِحُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ هَذَا مِنَ الَّذِينَ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى فِيهِمْ إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقاتُ لِلْفُقَراءِ وَالْمَساكِينِ الْآيَةَ وَهُمْ زَمْنَى أَهْلِ الْكِتَابِ وَلَمَّا قَالَ تَعَالَى إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقاتُ لِلْفُقَراءِ وَالْمَساكِينِ الْآيَةَ وَقَابَلَ الْجُمْلَةَ بِالْجُمْلَةِ وَهِيَ جُمْلَةُ الصَّدَقَةِ بِجُمْلَةِ الْمَصْرِفِ بَيَّنَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ذَلِكَ، فَقَالَ لِمُعَاذٍ حِينَ أَرْسَلَهُ إِلَى الْيَمَنِ أَخْبِرْهُمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ افْتَرَضَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُؤْخَذُ مِنْ أَغْنِيَائِهِمْ فَتُرَدُّ فِي فُقَرَائِهِمْ فَاخْتُصَّ أَهْلُ كُلِّ بَلَدٍ بِزَكَاةِ بَلَدِهِ وَرَوَى أَبُو دَاوُدَ أَنَّ زِيَادًا أَوْ بَعْضَ الْأُمَرَاءِ بَعَثَ عِمْرَانَ بْنَ حُصَيْنٍ عَلَى الصَّدَقَةِ فَلَمَّا رَجَعَ قَالَ لِعِمْرَانَ أَيْنَ الْمَالُ؟ قَالَ وَلِلْمَالِ أَرْسَلْتَنِي! أَخَذْنَاهَا مِنْ حَيْثُ كُنَّا نَأْخُذُهَا عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ووضعنا ها حَيْثُ كُنَّا – كتاب تفسير القرطبي الجامع لأحكام القرآن مجلد ٨/ صفحة ١٧٤ دار الكتب المصرية
[9] الْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ كَانُوا ثَلَاثَةَ أَقْسَامٍ قِسْمٌ كُفَّارٌ كَانَ عَلَيْهِ الصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ يُعْطِيهِمْ لِيَتَأَلَّفَهُمْ عَلَى الْإِسْلَامِ وَقِسْمٌ كَانَ يُعْطِيهِمْ لِيَدْفَعَ شَرَّهُمْ وَقِسْمٌ أَسْلَمُوا وَفِيهِمْ ضَعْفٌ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ فَكَانَ يَتَأَلَّفُهُمْ لِيَثْبُتُوا وَكَانَ ذَلِكَ حُكْمًا مَشْرُوعًا ثَابِتًا بِالنَّصِّ فَلَا حَاجَةَ إلَى الْجَوَابِ عَمَّا يُقَالُ كَيْفَ يَجُوزُ صَرْفُهَا إلَى الْكُفَّارِ – كتاب الدر المختار وحاشية ابن عابدين رد المحتار ج٢/ ص ٣٤٢ دار الفكر
[10] إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ ۖ فَرِيضَةً مِّنَ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ – سورة التوبة ٦٠
