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:

Dear brother, asalamualaikum

should muslims only give money to charities that are for muslims, ie. not give money to the red cross, or oxfam? and just stick to charities like muslim aid.

is it not a duty to help all of mankind and donate to a variety of charities? regardless of the fact they wouldnt go directly to muslims. As i was thinking of donating to water aid which helps people all over the world without water not just muslims.

thankyou for your time and effort.

jazakallah

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Answer:

Can give to non muslims

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 none 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.’

Beloved brother in Islam, helping and giving charity to any who is poor and needy, regardless of their belief, 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.

One may give monetary or material help to any poor and needy amongst mankind, regardless of their belief, from their voluntary charity funds like ‘Sadaqa’; but the annual obligatory charity of ‘zakah’ can only be distributed amongst the believers.

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