Is it permissible for a Muslim to donate to Western charities?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
There is no Shar'i (-compliant) impediment to giving gifts, donations, and charity to non-Muslims, whether individuals or groups, especially to humanitarian organizations and those working in charitable fields, as this falls under the category of good deeds commanded by Sharia.
It is preferable for a Muslim to seek out pious Muslims for their charities.
It is permissible to give charity to non-Muslims as long as it is not obligatory ; for obligatory Zakat is not given to non-Muslims unless they are among those whose hearts are to be reconciled (al-mu'allafati qulubuhum).
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/101990
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 101990
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy