Giving Sadaqah to a non-Muslim

Q 1: Is it permissible to help a non-Muslim, such as (Part No. 8; Page No. 303) a Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, or a follower of any other disbelieving beliefs, who asks for financial help while he is sick, from: (a) Zakah (obligatory charity) (b) Sadaqah (voluntary charity) (c) Muslims' donations (d) Returns that are received by the Fund from the Kuwait Finance House (the Islamic Bank of Kuwait) after one year passes since charities and donations have been deposited? This is a general question.Q 2: The Fund exchanges interests with some governmental and non-governmental bodies. For example, a non-Muslim patient, adopting one of the above-mentioned beliefs, must leave the country because he is afflicted with a contagious disease. Now, he is receiving medical care in a governmental hospital that is engaged with the Fund in a very fruitful and constructive cooperation. Is it permissible to help this patient from the forms of religious charities mentioned in the first question (i.e., a, b, c, d)?Q 3: Is it permissible to give him a travel ticket that is usually given to the Fund for free and on a yearly basis from the Kuwait Airways?

A: It is permissible to give non-Muslims, such as Christians and Buddhists, who ask for aid from Sadaqahs and donations. However, it is not permissible to give them of Zakah. That is because it was authentically reported on the authority of Mu`adh (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: (Zakah should) be taken from the rich (Muslims) and distributed among the poor of them (i.e. The Muslims). (Part No. 8; Page No. 304) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.