QUESTION:

What do the scholars and muftis of the mighty Shari’ah say regarding this matter, which type of supplication can we not make for a disbeliever and which type of supplication can we make for a disbeliever?

Questioner: Shahid from Luton

ANSWER:

بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم
الجواب بعون الملک الوھاب اللھم ھدایۃ الحق والصواب

We absolutely cannot supplicate for the forgiveness and salvation of a disbeliever and there is no problem in supplicating for the guidance of a disbeliever [to Islām]. Just as it is stated in al-Fatāwā al-Hindiyyah,

“وَلَا يَدْعُو لِلذِّمِّيِّ بِالْمَغْفِرَةِ وَلَوْ دَعَا لَهُ بِالْهُدَى جَازَ لِأَنَّهُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ قَالَ اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِ قَوْمِي فَإِنَّهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ كَذَا فِي التَّبْيِينِ“

“One should not supplicate for the forgiveness of a non-Muslim citizen (dhimmī), and if one supplicated for his guidance then that is permissible because the Prophet ﷻ supplicated, ‘O Allāh, guide my people because they do not know’, it is mentioned as such in al-Tabyīn.”

[al-Fatāwā al-Hindiyyah, vol 5, pg 348]

Sayyidunā Tufayl ibn ‘Amr al-Dawsī (may Allāh be pleased with him) complained about his people and said, “O Messenger of Allāh ﷻ supplicate against Daws”, so the Noble Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم supplicated,

“اللّٰھم اھد دَوساً وآت بھم”

 “O Allāh, guide Daws and bring them to me.”

[Sahīh al-Bukhārī, vol 2, pg 291, Hadīth 2937]

Similarly, many Muslims were martyred by the rocks hurled at them by Thaqīf. The Sahābah (may Allāh be pleased with them all) asked that the Prophet ﷻ supplicate against them but the Noble Prophet ﷻ supplicated,

“اَللّٰھُمَّ اھْدِ ثَقِیْفاً”

 “O Allāh, guide Thaqīf.”

[Sunan al-Tirmidhī, vol 5, pg 492, Hadīth 3968]

واللہ تعالی اعلم ورسولہ اعلم صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم
کتبہ ابو الحسن محمد قاسم ضیاء قادری

Answered by Mufti Qasim Zia al-Qadri

Translated by Mawlana Ibrar Shafi

Read the original Urdu answer here – [Q-ID0292] Which dua can we make and not make, for a non-Muslim?

Also see:

[Q-ID0265] Will all Disbelievers of Islam enter Jahannam eternally?

[Q-ID0206] What is the fate of the insane non-Muslim?

[Q-ID0202] Will a non-Muslim child enter Jannah?

[Q-ID0186] Is it possible that the Prophet’s intercession will include the non-Muslims in Hell?

[Q-ID0138] Reciting the shahadah on behalf of someone who died as a disbeliever

Refutation of ‘The Study Quran’ by the Ulama of Zabid

[Q-ID0054] My non-Muslim neighbour passed away, can I attend his funeral?