Giving Zakaah for treatment of a non-Muslim child.
Q. Is it okay to contribute one’s whole Zakat to medical expenses for urgent treatment for a non-muslim child?
A. No, it is not permissible to contribute one’s whole Zakaah or part of it for the purpose which you have described.
The reason for this is that first of all Zakaat cannot be given to a non-Muslim, and secondly, it is essential that you make someone the owner of the zakaah when you give it to him.
Contribution to a cause (as in the case of Medical expenses) does not make the deserving recipient (of the zakaah) the owner. Instead of doing this, one can give his/her zakaah to the sick/ailing Muslim and then he may use it for the Medical purpose.
With respect to giving your Zakaah to a non muslim, this is not permissible as I indicated before. However, it is permissible to render assistance to this cause by giving general Sadaqah (charity) or donating towards it.
And Allah knows best.
Mufti Waseem Khan