Can Muslims give Zakat to non-Muslims? Zakat donations are obligatory for charities. The purpose of Zakat is to truly help the poor and
vulnerable,
and
there
are
eight
categories
of
people
among
which
your zakat donation should be distributed. These are: 1. The Poor (Al-Fuqara) 2. The Needy (Al-Masakin) 3. Administrators of Zakat (Al-‘Amilina ‘Alayha) 4. Reconciliation of Hearts (Al-Mu’allafate-Qulubuhum), meaning new Muslims or people inclined towards Islam 5. Those held captive or enslaved (Fir-Riqab) 6. Those in debt (Al-Gharimin) 7. Those striving in the path of Allah (Fi-Sabilillah) 8. Wayfarers/travellers (Ibn as-Sabil) The majority of scholars agree that Zakat is to be paid and received by Muslims only. Zakat is subject to many rules when it comes to its discharge and distribution. However, these rules are not restricted to other acts of charity such as Sadaqah which can be given to anyone and can also take many forms. However, other scholars are of the opinion that Zakat can be given to non-Muslims such as Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta' al-Misriyyah. Your Zakat donation truly has the power to save lives, transform communities and lift people out of poverty. Across the globe, with Muslim Charity, your Zakat donations are providing clean, drinking water, sending children to school, providing vital food, caring for orphans, supporting children in memorizing the Qur’an, and building safe homes for vulnerable people.