Is it permissible to give zakat to the poor among Ahl al-Dhimmah (non-Muslims living under Muslim rule), and is it true that Ibn Abbas said: "Indeed, the poor are the poor among Muslims, and the needy are the poor among the People of the Book," and that Umar interpreted "al-masakin" (the needy) as the disabled among the People of the Book?

It is impermissible to give from the Zakat on wealth to a disbeliever, by consensus, because the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, specified its distribution to the poor among Muslims. As for Zakat al-Fitr, Imam Abu Hanifa and his companion Muhammad are of the view that it is permissible to give it to the poor among the People of the Book (Ahl al-Dhimma), basing their argument on the generality of texts that encourage giving charity to the poor without distinction, and on the permissibility of showing kindness to the People of the of the Book who have not fought Muslims.