Zakat for Non-Muslims

Short answer: Obligatory zakat (Zakat al-Mal and Zakat al-Fitr) cannot be given to non-Muslims. Voluntary charity (sadaqah) can be given to non-Muslims. Details: The provided evidence shows that the Prophet (peace be upon him) sent Mu'adh to Yemen to collect zakat from the Muslims (P1, P4, P5). The zakat is prescribed for Muslims, as seen in the instructions to teach them the obligations after they accept Islam. There is no evidence in these hadiths that zakat may be paid to non-Muslims. The eight categories of zakat recipients in Surah at-Tawbah (9:60) are not covered by the supplied passages, but the general principle from the evidence is that zakat is an Islamic obligation for Muslims and collected from them, implying it is for Muslim recipients. Voluntary charity, on the other hand, is broader. The hadith about a man giving charity to an adulteress (P8) shows that charity can be given to sinners, and by extension, to non-Muslims, as the Prophet did not restrict it. However, the explicit evidence for giving voluntary charity to non-Muslims is not directly in these passages, but the general principle from other sources (not provided here) is permissibility. Based on the supplied evidence, the position is that obligatory zakat is exclusively for Muslims, while voluntary charity can be given to non-Muslims. Evidence: 1. Sahih al-Bukhari 1395 (P1) – The Prophet sent Mu'adh to collect zakat from Muslims. 2. Sahih al-Bukhari 1496 (P4) – Instructions to invite People of the Book to Islam first, then teach zakat. 3. Sahih al-Bukhari 1458 (P5) – Similar to P4. 4. Sahih Muslim 1022 (P8) – Charity to an adulteress shows that voluntary charity can reach sinners. Note: This fatwa is based only on the provided evidence. For complex cases involving specific categories, consult a knowledgeable scholar.