Short answer
Yes, voluntary charity (sadaqah) can be given to non-Muslims, and it is rewarded. Zakat cannot: in the Hanafi school it goes only to eligible Muslims, and the relied-upon Hanafi fatwa also keeps zakat al-fitr, kaffarah and vow money for Muslims.
Nafl (voluntary) sadaqah to a non-Muslim who is not at war with Muslims is permitted and rewarded. Zakat to a non-Muslim is not valid. Abu Hanifa and Muhammad allowed sadaqat al-fitr, kaffarah and vows to be given to a dhimmi, but the fatwa is on Abu Yusuf's view that these too go only to Muslims.
Other madhhabs
- Hanbali
- Zakat may be given to non-Muslims under the category of those whose hearts are to be won over (al-muallafa qulubuhum), which they hold still applies; Hanafis hold that category has lapsed.
Explanation
Islam's charity is not limited to Muslims. The Quran praises those who feed the needy, the orphan and the captive, and in the time of the Prophet ﷺ captives were non-Muslims. A verse was revealed when some Companions hesitated to give to their non-Muslim relatives, telling them that guidance is up to Allah and that whatever good they spend comes back to them.
- Sadaqah: give to a homeless person, a food bank, a disaster appeal, a hospital or a neighbour in need without asking their religion.
- Family: helping your non-Muslim parents, siblings and relatives is charity and also keeping ties. Spending on needy parents is a duty, not just charity.
- Zakat: keep it for eligible Muslims. See who can receive zakat.
- Non-Muslim charities: giving sadaqah to a general charity is fine if the money goes to permitted causes, such as food, medicine or shelter.
Giving across faith lines is one of the clearest ways to show Islam's mercy. Keep your intention for Allah and give with dignity. The difference between the two kinds of giving is explained in zakat vs sadaqah.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-Insaan 76:8
وَيُطْعِمُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ مِسْكِينًۭا وَيَتِيمًۭا وَأَسِيرًا ﴿٨﴾
And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive,
Feeding the captive, who was usually a non-Muslim, is praised.
Quran, Surah Al-Baqara 2:272
۞ لَّيْسَ عَلَيْكَ هُدَىٰهُمْ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ ۗ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍۢ فَلِأَنفُسِكُمْ ۚ وَمَا تُنفِقُونَ إِلَّا ٱبْتِغَآءَ وَجْهِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍۢ يُوَفَّ إِلَيْكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تُظْلَمُونَ ﴿٢٧٢﴾
Not upon you, [O Muhammad], is [responsibility for] their guidance, but Allah guides whom He wills. And whatever good you [believers] spend is for yourselves, and you do not spend except seeking the countenance of Allah. And whatever you spend of good - it will be fully repaid to you, and you will not be wronged.
Revealed about giving to non-Muslim relatives: give, and leave guidance to Allah.
Quran, Surah Al-Mumtahana 60:8
لَّا يَنْهَىٰكُمُ ٱللَّهُ عَنِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَٰتِلُوكُمْ فِى ٱلدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوكُم مِّن دِيَٰرِكُمْ أَن تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُقْسِطِينَ ﴿٨﴾
Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.
Doing good to peaceful non-Muslims is permitted.
Sahih al-Bukhari 1496
Sahih... تؤخذ من أغنيائهم فترد على فقرائهم ...
"It is taken from their rich and given back to their poor."
Zakat is taken from Muslims and returned to poor Muslims.
Sahih al-Bukhari 2620
Sahih... نعم صلي أمك ...
"Yes, keep ties with your mother."
Asma was allowed to give to and keep ties with her non-Muslim mother.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Zakah, Bab man yajuz daf' al-sadaqah ilayhi wa man la yajuz. Zakat may not be given to a dhimmi, while other sadaqah may.
- al-Durr al-Mukhtar, Kitab al-Zakah, Bab al-Masrif. Records Abu Yusuf's view that wajib charities do not go to a dhimmi, and that the fatwa is on it.
- Kashshaf al-Qina', Kitab al-Zakah, Bab Ahl al-Zakah. The Hanbali view that the category of al-muallafa qulubuhum remains.
This answer is pending review by the scholars on our team. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.