It’s been a tricky question over the years, Can Muslims Pray for non-Muslims? or they can not?
Over the years scholars have differed on whether it is permissible or forbidden for Muslims to pray for non-Muslims. Which left a wide scope for disagreement about whether Can Muslims Pray for non-Muslims. While some scholars argue that praying for non-believers is forbidden, others maintain that it is permissible under certain conditions. Those who prohibit supplication for non-Muslims cite religious texts that emphasize praying for and proselytizing to Muslims alone. However, those in favor of allowing such prayers note that acts of goodwill and kindness toward all people are encouraged in Islamic teachings, regardless of faith. Overall, there are valid perspectives on both sides of this nuanced and ethical debate, and reasonable Muslim scholars have interpreted the relevant religious sources differently over time, leaving the question one that continues to be discussed within Islamic jurisprudential circles Can Muslims Pray for non-Muslims?
Can Muslims Pray for non-Muslims?
There are differing scholarly opinions regarding supplicating for the living non-Muslim. While some views allow praying for mercy and forgiveness, it is not in the sense of requesting absolution for disbelief or interceding on their behalf directly with Allah as a non-believer. Rather, such supplications should aim to facilitate guidance towards Islam – as acceptance of the faith could then provide grounds for divine forgiveness and compassion according to Islamic theology. The precise intent and context are crucial to consider regarding supplication made on non-Muslims’ behalf during their lifetimes. This is one of how we may interpret the words of Ibraaheem (peace be upon him) as mentioned in the verse: “My Lord! They have caused many people to go astray. So whoever follows me is with me, and whoever disobeys me—then surely You are ˹still˺ All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Ibraaheem 36]
رَبِّ إِنَّهُنَّ أَضْلَلْنَ كَثِيرًۭا مِّنَ ٱلنَّاسِ ۖ فَمَن تَبِعَنِى فَإِنَّهُۥ مِنِّى ۖ وَمَنْ عَصَانِى فَإِنَّكَ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ
And the words of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him): Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported: I remember seeing the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, tell the story of a prophet who was beaten by his people, and he wiped the blood from his face, saying, “My Lord, forgive my people for they do not know.”
Sahih Al-Bukhari 6929,
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ قَالَ كَأَنِّي أَنْظُرُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَحْكِي نَبِيًّا مِنَ الأَنْبِيَاءِ ضَرَبَهُ قَوْمُهُ وَهُوَ يَمْسَحُ الدَّمَ عَنْ وَجْهِهِ وَيَقُولُ رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِقَوْمِي فَإِنَّهُمْ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ
6929 صحيح البخاري
Praying for non-Muslims regarding worldly matters
As we mentioned before it is permissible to pray for non-Muslims wishing them to join Islam and Believe in Prophet Muhammed (Peace be upon him), but it is not permissible to supplicate to Allaah to forgive or have mercy on a non-Muslim, or award him with any other reward in the Hereafter.
As Allaah Says (what means): {It is not for the Prophet and those who have believed to ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even if they were relatives after it has become clear to them that they are companions of Hellfire.}[Al-Tawbah:113].
مَا كَانَ لِلنَّبِىِّ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَن يَسْتَغْفِرُوا۟ لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ وَلَوْ كَانُوٓا۟ أُو۟لِى قُرْبَىٰ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُمْ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلْجَحِيمِ ١١٣
In addition, The Imaam An-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy upon him) explored that ‘It is forbidden by the text of the Quran and the consensus of the scholars to Muslims to pray for non-Muslims with Allaah to have mercy on them.
As regards supplicating to Allaah to guide him to embrace Islam whilst he is alive, this is permissible. Indeed it is confirmed that the Prophet salla llaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) supplicated to Allaah to guide some non-Muslims as it was reported by Abu Huraira: Al-Tufayl came with his companions, and they said, “O Messenger of Allah, the tribe of Daws has disbelieved and rejected you, so pray to Allah against them!” And it was said, “May the tribe of Daws be destroyed!” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “O Allah, guide the tribe of Daws and bring them.” Sahih Al-Bukhari & Muslim
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ قَدِمَ الطُّفَيْلُ وَأَصْحَابُهُ فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ دَوْسًا قَدْ كَفَرَتْ وَأَبَتْ فَادْعُ اللَّهَ عَلَيْهَا فَقِيلَ هَلَكَتْ دَوْسٌ فَقَالَ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِ دَوْسًا وَائْتِ بِهِمْ
صحيح البخاري ومسلم
Praying for the guidance of non-Muslims
Muslims can pray for guidance and forgiveness for non-Muslims as long as they are alive, but when they die in a religion other than Islam, God has forbidden this to the prophets and messengers and their followers (Muslims). Our master Ibrahim, peace be upon him, used to pray for his father until Allah forbade him from doing so, saying: “It is not for the Prophet and those who have believed to ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even if they were relatives after it has become clear to them that they are companions of Hellfire.” (113) And Abraham’s asking forgiveness for his father was only because of a promise he had made to him. But when it became clear to him that he was an enemy of God, he disassociated himself from him. Indeed, Abraham was most compassionate. Forbearing (114)” (Surat At-Tawbah).
“مَا كَانَ لِلنَّبِيِّ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَن يَسْتَغْفِرُوا لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ وَلَوْ كَانُوا أُولِي قُرْبَىٰ مِن بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُمْ أَصْحَابُ الْجَحِيمِ (113) وَمَا كَانَ اسْتِغْفَارُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ لِأَبِيهِ إِلَّا عَن مَّوْعِدَةٍ وَعَدَهَا إِيَّاهُ فَلَمَّا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ أَنَّهُ عَدُوٌّ لِّلَّهِ تَبَرَّأَ مِنْهُ ۚ إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ لَأَوَّاهٌ حَلِيمٌ (114)” (سورة التوبة).
This means that asking forgiveness for the polytheists is undoubtedly forbidden, as indicated by the Qur’an and Sunnah.
As for supplicating for their guidance, the Messenger of Allah Muhammed Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to supplicate for his uncle Abu Talib to be guided, and regarding his death, he said: The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: I will ask forgiveness for you as long as I am not forbidden from doing so.”
“Then these verses were revealed:
فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: لأستغفرن لك ما لم أنه عنك” “ثم نزلت هذه الآيات:
{It is not for the Prophet and those who have believed to ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even if they were relatives after it has become clear to them that they are companions of the Fire} [At-Tawbah: 113]
{Indeed, you do not guide whom you love} [Al-Qasas: 56]
{ما كان للنبي والذين آمنوا أن يستغفروا للمشركين ولو كانوا أولي قربى من بعد ما تبين لهم أنهم أصحاب النار} [التوبة: 113]
{إنك لا تهدي من أحببت} [القصص: 56]
This means that supplicating for their guidance during their lives is a desirable matter, but Allah forbade it when they die following a religion other than the religion of Allah.
Praying for forgiveness and mercy for non-Muslims
It is appropriate to pray for mercy for non-Muslims while they are alive, as this perspective is valid in the sense that Allah may bestow mercy upon them by saving them from sin and guiding them to obedience, thus transferring them from being subject to His wrath to receiving His mercy.
The prevailing view held by scholars is that supplications may be offered for the guidance of a non-believer who remains alive, but not specifically for mercy or forgiveness. Taking this approach avoids areas of scholarly disagreement on this topic.
Among the evidence that this is more correct is the report narrated by al-Tirmidhi (2739) and Abu Dawood (5038) from Abu Moosa (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Jews would pretend to sneeze in the presence of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) hoping that he would say to them, “May Allah have mercy on you,” but he used to say: “May Allah guide you and set your affairs straight.”
عن أبي موسى رضي الله عنه قال: كان اليهود يعطسون عند النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم رجاء أن يقول لهم: يرحمكم الله، فيقول: يهديكم الله ويصلح أمركم.
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