Asmāʾ bint Abī Bakr, who, when her polytheist mother visited her, said: “O Messenger of Allah, my mother has come seeking my kindness. Should I maintain ties with her?” He replied: “Maintain ties with your mother.” This hadith is recorded in both Sahīh collections. Concerning this, Allah Most High revealed:
“Allah does not forbid you from being kind and just towards those who have neither fought you because of your religion nor driven you from your homes. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.”
And He Most High said:
“You are not responsible for their guidance, but Allah guides whom He wills. Whatever good you spend is for your own benefit, and you spend only seeking Allah’s Face. Whatever good you spend will be repaid to you in full, and you will not be wronged.”
He thus made clear that gifts to such people are given only for Allah’s sake. It is also authentically reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“There is a reward for kindness to every living creature.”
Thus, if someone makes a bequest or establishes an endowment for a particular individual who is an unbeliever or a sinner, that person’s unbelief or sinfulness is neither the basis nor a condition of his entitlement. Rather, he would still be entitled to what was given to him even if he were an upright Muslim. His sinful status therefore has no bearing on the matter. This differs from making that status a condition of entitlement, by establishing the endowment for unbelievers and sinners as a class, or for a particular group on condition that they be unbelievers or sinners. Scholars have no doubt that such an arrangement is invalid.
However, scholars hold two well-known views concerning an endowment devoted to a merely permissible cause, such as an endowment for the wealthy. The correct view, supported by the Quran, the Sunnah, and the fundamental principles of the revealed Law, is that this too is invalid, for Allah, glorified is He, said concerning fayʾ (wealth acquired without fighting):
“so that it may not circulate only among