Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalamualaikum wrwb,

In one of your recent answers, u said the following.

Those non-muslims who have no enmity with the believers, there is absolutely no harm in keeping good relations with them, being kind to them, helping them in humanity, and dealing with them in justice.

Now, here is my question...

I recently moved from Sydney to Melbourne and before getting my first pay earned in Melbourne into my account I decided to give a part of my first earning as charity. But when I came to know that my non-muslim friend who helped me in my bad times, is badly in need of money, I gave him some amount, before giving a part of my first earning as charity. So now, I want to ask u, does helping a non-muslim friend be considered as a good deed in the eyes of Allah subhanah? I am asking you this question because I feel guilty of deciding to give a part of first earning in Melbourne as charity but before I had the chance to give it out in charity, I helped a non-muslim. For sure, I don`t expect any word of thanks or any type of return from my non-muslim friend for this act but I do want to please Allah swt as nothing is as important as pleasing Allah s.w.t. to have heaven as our abode in the life Hereafter. And also, let me tell u, this non-muslim friend never had any feeling of enmity towards Islam and alwayz helped me in my bad times. So plz let me know if helping such non-muslims has any respect in the sight of Allah s.w.t.

Jazak Allah 

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Answer:

Charity to non muslim

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Islam absolutely encourages the believers to help and be kind and just with our non-muslim brethren for they are indeed our brothers and sisters in humanity. Helping or giving charity to another human being, regardless of whether he is a believer or a disbeliever, is an extremely meritorious deed in the Sight of Allah Subhanah; and if the deed was done with the intention to seek the Pleasure and Good Will of the Lord Most High, they will have their reward from the Lord Most Gracious on an Inevitable Day.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 21 Surah Anbiyaa verse 47:

47 We shall set up Scales of Justice for the Day of Judgment so that not a soul will be dealt with unjustly in the least. And if there be (a deed no more than) the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it (to account): and enough are We to take account.

There are several examples in the authentic traditions of the Messenger of Allah (saws) whereby he encouraged the believers to give charity (Sadaqah) to their fellow human beings in need, regardless of whether they were believers or disbelievers.

Sahih Muslim Hadith 6466 Narrated by Jarir ibn Abdullah

Some disbelieving desert Arabs clad in woolen clothes came to Allah's Messenger (saws). He (saws) saw them in a sad plight as they had been hard pressed by need. The Prophet (saws) exhorted the believers to give charity, but they showed some reluctance until (signs of) anger could be seen on his face. Then someone from the Ansar came with a purse containing silver. Then came another person and then other people followed them in succession until signs of happiness could be seen on his (sacred) face. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (saws) said: ‘He who introduced some good practice in Islam , which was followed after him (by people), will be assured of a reward like those who followed it, without their rewards being diminished in any respect. And he who introduced some evil practice in Islam, which was followed subsequently (by others), he will be required to bear the burden like that of those who followed this (evil practice) without theirs being diminished in any respect.’

Your Question: So plz let me know if helping such non-muslims has any respect in the sight of Allah s.w.t.

Beloved brother in Islam, helping and giving charity to a non-muslim is absolutely encouraged in Islam and such a deed will earn its doer a tremendous reward from their Lord Creator on the Day of Judgment.

Leave alone earning rewards from Allah for helping and giving charity to a fellow human being, the Messenger of Allah (saws) guided the believers to be kind and help even the animate creatures of Allah Subhanah….for they too are a creation of Allah and if one helps them for the sake of Allah, they will have a reward for their kindness and mercy even towards the animals in the Majestic Presence of their Lord Most High.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: "While a man was walking along a road, he became very thirsty and found a well. He lowered himself into the well, drank, and came out. Then [he saw] a dog protruding its tongue out with thirst. The man said: 'This dog has become exhausted from thirst in the same way as I.' He lowered himself into the well again and filled his shoe with water. Then he took the dog by the mouth until he had raised himself. He gave the dog some water to drink. He thanked Allah, and [his sins were] forgiven." They asked: "O Messenger of Allah (saws), is there a reward for us in our animals?" He (saws) said: "There is a reward in (helping) every living thing."

Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan