Praise be to Allaah.
It is not permissible to give zakaah on one’s wealth or
crops, or Zakaat al-Fitr, to kaafirs, even if they are poor, or wayfarers,
or debtors, and if one who gives zakaah to them, that is not counted as
zakaah.
It is permissible to give regular charity – not obligatory
charity (i.e., zakaah) to poor kaafirs, and to exhange gifts and with them
and treat them well to soften their hearts towards Islam, so long as they
have not carried out any hostile actions against the Muslims, which would
disallow that. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Allaah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with
those who fought not against you on account of religion nor drove you out of
your homes. Verily, Allaah loves those who deal with equity”
[al-Mumtahanah 60:8]
And Allaah is the Source
of strength. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and
companions, and grant them peace.
From Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, vol. 10, p. 30
There is one category of
zakaah that may be given to the kuffaar, which is “to attract the hearts of
those who have been inclined (towards Islam)” (cf. al-Tawbah 9:60). It is
permissible to give zakaah funds to those kaafirs who hold positions of
authority and influence among their people, if there is the hope that by
giving them something they may become Muslims, then those who are under them
may become Muslim too. And Allaah is the Source of strength.