What do I do when I have a non-Muslim friend in need of cash to get treatment? I would like to help, but do I get Thawaab (cloth)? With what intention do I help him, i.e. Sadaqah, etc?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

The jurists differed in opinion in regard to the ruling of giving optional charity to a non-Muslim. The most preponderant opinion is that it is permissible, as Allaah Says (which means): {And they feed, for the love of Allaah, the indigent, the orphan, and the captive… }[Quran 76:8]. The captive at that time was a non-Muslim, and if a Muslim gives him in charity while seeking the reward from Allaah, it is hoped that he will be rewarded.

Finally, the following matters should be mentioned:

1)     It is not permissible to pay the obligatory Zakat to a non-Muslim.

2)     It is not permissible for a Muslim woman to establish a relationship with a marriageable man, even if he is a Muslim, let alone if he is a non-Muslim. Whoever did so is obliged to repent to Allaah and immediately cut this relationship.

Allaah Knows best.