Paying zakat to non-Muslim and charity organization / Amirah Elyana Shamsuddin … [et al.]

Zakat is a maaliyah act of worship that helps Muslims, especially in improving their standard of living. Zakat is also one of the solutions to the problem of poverty. The rich (muzakki) will help the poor (mustahiq) from a financial welfare point of view and attract followers of other religions to embrace Islam and its teachings. Generally, Zakat is the third pillar of Islam. The attitude of giving help and sharing sustenance with fellow Muslims is highly encouraged to strengthen the relationship of brotherhood among Muslims and obtain a great reward from Allah. However, Islam not only focuses on the needs of fellow Muslims but also cares about the needs of other fellow human beings, even if they are non-Muslims and charitable organizations.

Furthermore, the development of human civilization has seen the need for interaction between people that allows them to help each other and complement each other's needs. Even though there are different beliefs and religions, Islam does not prevent human interaction from continuing to happen. Many spaces for interaction are organized in Islam, one of which is in Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 13, which means "humanity! Indeed, We have created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes so that you may get to know one another. Surely, the most noble among you in the sight of Allah is the righteous among you. Indeed, Allah is truly All-Knowing, All Aware" (Baharudin, 2016).

Lending a helping hand to those in need is an admirable behaviour. The faith of Islam requires its followers to assist one another regardless of race, religion, or nationality. Help in charity and other forms can be extended to individuals not practicing Islam. Nevertheless, zak:at can also be given to non-Muslims so long as certain conditions are met. This is done out of Ihsan, or compassion for fellow human beings. Both the Al-Quran and the Hadith provide proof of situations in which a claim that one is moving closer to non-Islam by spending some of their wealth.