Fatwa Q&As: Giving charity to non-Muslims

A reader seeks advice on how to avoid being jealous of others.

Q: Is it permissible to give charity to non-Muslims?

A: In a broad sense, the concept of charity in Islam is for whomever is needy and poor. This is because Islam is a universal religion, in accordance with the nature of its Final Prophet, who was sent as a mercy to “all the worlds”. Thus charity, in a general sense, can be given to anyone in need.

In a more specific sense, however, this does not include the obligatory alms, known as Zakat, whose categories of recipients are clearly delineated in the Quran and do not stipulate non-Muslims.

Q: I have seen the effects of my envy on people. Could you please advise me how to avoid being jealous of others?

A: First of all, we ask Allah the Almighty to protect and bless you.

To avoid envying others, we can start with acknowledging the immense blessings we have all received from Allah, that have come to us freely and undeserved.

The blessings of existence itself, which presupposes numerous blessings that we cannot count, such as the blessings of sight, sound and touch. If, in spite of this, we find ourselves envying, then it is important to reflect on the grave consequences of this feeling on our spiritual state.

Islam says that the feeling of envy comes from the ego and can be rectified by praying for an increase in blessings for the one we envy, such as saying something like Allahuma Barikhu (may Allah bless him) or saying Mashallah, La Quwata illa bil lah (Allah has willed it and there is no might except with Allah).

The envy that is blameworthy is when one desires to wish the removal of the blessing from others.

In this sense, it is a disease of the soul, which is prohibited and condemned in Islam as it demolishes good deeds. On the authority of Abu Hurayra, may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) said: “Avoid envy for envy devours good deeds, just as fire devours fuel or grass.”

So if someone sees something that he likes belonging to another person, he should pray to Allah, the Most Provident, to bestow His blessings on the other person.

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