Can Zakat Be Given To Non-Muslims?
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.
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?