Giving Zakah to Muslim and Non-Muslim Workers

Question:
This questioner says: Your Excellency the Shaykh, is it permissible for me to give zakah to workers, whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims, given that their pressing need is not hidden from you?

Answer:
As for non-Muslims, zakah is not permissible for them; zakah is not permissible except for Muslims, specifically the poor among Muslims. It may be given to a disbeliever in the category of "those whose hearts are to be reconciled"—a disbeliever whose evil is feared, and if he is given from the zakah, his evil is averted, or his people refrain from harming the Muslims. In that case, he is given from the zakah for the sake of reconciliation. There is no harm in giving to him, even if he is a disbeliever, to avert harm from the Muslims. This is within the authority of the one in authority; this is within the authority of the one in authority, not within the authority of every individual. Giving to "those whose hearts are to be reconciled" is within the authority of the one in authority over the Muslims. As for giving to the Muslim worker, this is permissible, but on the condition that you do not count it as part of his wages, or give it to encourage him to work for you, or for something similar. If you are giving it for the sake of Allah, give it for the sake of Allah. Do not give it to encourage him to work for you, or to make him proficient in his work for you, or for something similar, for this is not permissible, because the benefit returns to you. Yes.