Mujahid said Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin had made a “bold move” in giving non-Muslims a share of the zakat collected from Muslims annually.
“Asri is going back to the spirit of zakat in the Quran, that is to help the poor and needy people, regardless of their faith,” he said.
On Friday, Perlis announced that non-Muslims were also eligible for aid from the compulsory alms collected from Muslims annually.
The state fatwa committee said the move was in keeping with the objective of zakat to reach out to non-Muslims who were friendly with Islam.
Asri said Prophet Muhammad had distributed zakat to non-Muslims.
“Non-Muslims are allowed to receive zakat because they fall under the asnaf category of ‘muallafah qulubuhum’ or ‘those who wish to harmonise their attitude and perception with Islam’,” he said.
Asnaf is one of the eight categories of people specified as eligible for zakat assistance in the Quran.
Others include those in abject poverty, zakat collectors, new converts, slaves, people in debt, those who fight in the way of God and stranded travellers.
Zakat, the third pillar of Islam, is compulsory for Muslims annually.
The sum due takes into account the person’s wealth, liabilities and assets, among other considerations, and varies from individual to individual.
Mujahid, who is Parit Buntar MP, said other states should follow in Perlis’ footsteps.
“The religious bodies should emulate Asri to show the true Islamic meaning of compassion,” he said.
MCA Religious Harmony Bureau chairman Ti Lian Ker said Asri’s act reflected positively on Islam.
“It is a breath of fresh air for Malaysia and gives an optimistic outlook for Malaysia,” he said.