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Fatwa CenterDonating money to non-Muslim foundations
Question
Can I use my Zakaat Al-mal for the purpose of sponsoring an orphan from Islamic country? Also, is it ok to donate money to non-Muslim foundations to treat kids illnesses here in the states?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
We have already issued Fatwa 83451 about the permissibility of sponsoring a Muslim orphan from Zakat money provided he is poor, so please refer to it.
As regards paying Zakat to non-Muslim organizations, it should be noted that it is forbidden to pay Zakat to a non-Muslim. Ibn Al-Munthir
stated that there is a consensus among the scholars
about this, as the Prophet 
said: "Inform them that Allaah imposed on them Zakat (alms) which should be taken from the rich of their people and be given to the poor." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] Furthermore, Zakat should only paid to the people who are eligible for Zakat and who are mentioned in Fataawa 88368 and 86546.
Hence, it is not permissible to give Zakat to a non-Muslim organization unless it is trustworthy and gives the Zakat to Muslims only and not to others, and provided they (the Muslims) are eligible for it.
Zakat should be given to this non-Muslim organization by proxy. Imaam An-Nawawi said: 'It is permissible to appoint a slave or a non-Muslim in distributing the Zakat.'
However, if the money that was donated as an ordinary charity (i.e. not Zakat) then please refer to Fatwa 90749.
Allaah Knows best.
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