The Ruling on Charity for Non-Muslims?
Question:
In the case that a non-Muslim is in dire need of help, is a Muslim rewarded for giving him charity?
Answer:
Charity to a non-Muslim in need is allowed, and the giver of this charity is rewarded. However, a Muslim cannot give his Zakat to a non-Muslim unless it is hoped that by receiving help, the non-Muslim might decide to accept Islaam or at least to refrain from harming Muslims (when he has a reputation for harming Muslims). Even when we give a non-Muslim charity, we must make sure that he is not from those who wage war on Muslims or who drive Muslims out of their lands, because then we are helping someone to wage war against Muslims.
Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-`Uthaymeen
Fatawa Islamiyah vol.8, p.403, DARUSSALAM
