Islamic Ruling on Giving Gifts and Showing Kindness to Non-Muslims
✒ Fatwa by the Saudi Permanent Committee for Islamic Rulings
It is permissible for a Muslim to give food, clothing, or other items — including Qurbani meat — to non-Muslim relatives, neighbors, or acquaintances. If the non-Muslim is in financial need, it is also allowed to give charity (ṣadaqah) for the sake of:
✔ Maintaining family ties (ṣilat al-raḥim)
✔ Fulfilling the rights of neighbors
✔ Winning hearts and softening attitudes toward Islam
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿وَإِن جَاهَدَاكَ عَلَىٰ أَن تُشْرِكَ بِي... فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَا وَصَاحِبْهُمَا فِي الدُّنْيَا مَعْرُوفًا﴾
“And if they strive to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them but accompany them in this world with good conduct.”
(Sūrah Luqmān: 15)
Also:
﴿لَا يَنْهَاكُمُ اللَّهُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ... أَن تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوا إِلَيْهِمْ﴾
“Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes—from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Verily, Allah loves those who act justly.”
(Sūrah al-Mumtaḥanah: 8)
✔ The Prophet ﷺ allowed Asmāʾ bint Abī Bakr رضي الله عنها to maintain ties with her non-Muslim mother, advising her to uphold family kinship, even though her mother was not Muslim at the time.
✔ ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه gifted an expensive garment to his non-Muslim relative.
✔ There is no evidence in Shari‘ah that prohibits giving gifts to non-Muslims.
✔ The default ruling in Shari‘ah is permissibility, unless proven otherwise.
✔ However, Zakat cannot be given to non-Muslims except to those whose hearts are to be reconciled (muʾallafah al-qulūb) as mentioned in the categories of zakat.
Permanent Committee for Islamic Rulings – Fatwa No. 2618
✒ Fatwa by the Saudi Permanent Committee for Islamic Rulings
◈ Giving Gifts to Non-Muslims
It is permissible for a Muslim to give food, clothing, or other items — including Qurbani meat — to non-Muslim relatives, neighbors, or acquaintances. If the non-Muslim is in financial need, it is also allowed to give charity (ṣadaqah) for the sake of:
✔ Maintaining family ties (ṣilat al-raḥim)
✔ Fulfilling the rights of neighbors
✔ Winning hearts and softening attitudes toward Islam
◈ Evidence from the Qur’an
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿وَإِن جَاهَدَاكَ عَلَىٰ أَن تُشْرِكَ بِي... فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَا وَصَاحِبْهُمَا فِي الدُّنْيَا مَعْرُوفًا﴾
“And if they strive to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them but accompany them in this world with good conduct.”
(Sūrah Luqmān: 15)
Also:
﴿لَا يَنْهَاكُمُ اللَّهُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ... أَن تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوا إِلَيْهِمْ﴾
“Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes—from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Verily, Allah loves those who act justly.”
(Sūrah al-Mumtaḥanah: 8)
◈ Prophetic and Historical Examples
✔ The Prophet ﷺ allowed Asmāʾ bint Abī Bakr رضي الله عنها to maintain ties with her non-Muslim mother, advising her to uphold family kinship, even though her mother was not Muslim at the time.
✔ ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه gifted an expensive garment to his non-Muslim relative.
◈ Legal Principle and Clarification
✔ There is no evidence in Shari‘ah that prohibits giving gifts to non-Muslims.
✔ The default ruling in Shari‘ah is permissibility, unless proven otherwise.
✔ However, Zakat cannot be given to non-Muslims except to those whose hearts are to be reconciled (muʾallafah al-qulūb) as mentioned in the categories of zakat.
🖋 Reference:
Permanent Committee for Islamic Rulings – Fatwa No. 2618
