Paying Zakat Al-Fitr to non-Muslims

29-9-2004 | IslamWeb

Question:

I would like to ask about Zakaat Al-Fitr. If I live here in Finland since I am a finish but I am a Muslim, al hamdulillaah. To whom should I give it when there are no poor people near by, we are the only Muslim family in a small town. Is it allowed to give to any one even non-Muslim?

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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.

It is not permissible to give Zakat Al-Fitr to a non-Muslim. If there are no poor Muslims in your country, it is permissible for you to send it to another Muslim country where there are people who are eligible for Zakat. This is an easy matter, all perfect praise be to Allaah. There are many Muslim poor brothers in many Muslim countries, and they deserve it more and are more in need of it.

Allaah knows best.