Is It Permissible to Ask a Non-Muslim to Make Du'a for You?

Question: Assalamualikum Can someone ask a non Muslim person to Pray for something As we know we should only Pray to Allah and when you ask a non Muslim they will Pray to false gods For example "Pray for me" Or "Pray that this thing happens" Or "Pray for my health" Etc JazzakhAllah

Summary:

The basic principle is that supplication is an act of worship that is directed only to Allah. As for requesting supplication from another person, this is not worship of that person; rather, it is asking him to supplicate to Allah. Therefore, it is permissible for a Muslim to request supplication from a righteous Muslim, although refraining from doing so is generally more complete and reflects greater reliance upon Allah. As for a non-Muslim, if the intention is that he supplicates to his false deities or seeks nearness to his objects of worship besides Allah on your behalf, then this is unquestionably impermissible. If the intention is that he supplicates to Allah, then a number of scholars disliked or prohibited it, because the supplication of a disbeliever is not something that is sought or relied upon, because it contains a type of honoring him in a religious matter, and because the Muslim is commanded to ask his Lord directly.

Answer:

In the name of Allah, all praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.

First: The Difference Between a Non-Muslim Supplicating for You and You Supplicating to Other Than Allah

If you say to a non-Muslim, "Pray for me," then you have not supplicated to him, nor have you directed an act of worship toward him. Rather, you have merely asked him to supplicate.

However, the question remains: is it permissible to request this from a disbeliever in the first place?

Second: If He Will Supplicate to His False Deities

If a Christian will supplicate to Christ, the cross, or the saints, or if an idolater will supplicate to his idols and images, then it is not permissible for a Muslim to ask him to do so. This is because it involves approval of an act of shirk or requesting something by means of devotion directed to other than Allah.

From the Qur'an:

[Surah Yunus 10:106]
"And do not invoke besides Allah that which neither benefits you nor harms you."
[Surah al-Jinn 72:18]
"So do not invoke anyone along with Allah."
Therefore, it is not permissible for a Muslim to ask anyone to seek nearness to a false deity for his benefit.
[Surah al-Rad 13:14]
"And the supplication of the disbelievers is not except in error."
The commentators mentioned that the meaning is that the supplication of the disbelievers to their deities and idols is false and wasted, bringing them no benefit, because they call upon those who possess neither the ability to answer nor the power to benefit or harm.
[Surah al-Rad 13:14]
"And those whom they invoke besides Him do not respond to them in anything."
The point is that their supplication to other than Allah is misguidance and falsehood.

Third: If He Will Supplicate to Allah Some of the People of the Book may supplicate directly to Allah, saying, "I ask Allah to cure you," or "to make your affairs easy." Even so, requesting supplication from such a person is not known from the Prophet ﷺ nor from the Companions رضي الله عنهم, despite their frequent interaction with Jews and Christians. Rather, what is established is the opposite. The Prophet ﷺ used to call the disbelievers to Islam and supplicate for their guidance, as he ﷺ said: "O Allah, guide Daws and bring them." It has not been narrated that he ever asked a Jew or a Christian to supplicate for him. For this reason, the scholars stated that refraining from requesting supplication from a disbeliever is what should be adhered to. Fourth: Is the Supplication of a Disbeliever Accepted? The basic principle is that the disbeliever is not among those whose acts of devotion and worship are accepted.

From the Qur'an:

[Surah al-Furqan 25:23]
"And We will turn to whatever deeds they did and make them as scattered dust."
However, Allah may answer the supplication of a disbeliever in certain situations as a form of gradual enticement, mercy, or for a wisdom known to Him alone.
[Surah al-Ankabut 29:65]
"And when they board a ship, they call upon Allah, sincere to Him in religion."

Thus, the answering of a supplication is one matter, while the acceptance of a deed and Allah's pleasure with its performer is another matter entirely. A number of scholars mentioned that supplication is sought from the people of faith and righteousness because they are more deserving of having their supplications answered. The Salaf would occasionally request supplication from one another, yet it has not been reported from them that they requested supplication from disbelievers, despite the existence of reasons that could have led to that and despite their frequent interaction with them. Therefore, the guidance of the Salaf is that a Muslim should ask his Lord directly, or request supplication from one whose righteousness and faith are hoped for. Final Answer: • It is not permissible to ask a non-Muslim to supplicate to his false deities or objects of worship besides Allah on your behalf. • It is not known that the Prophet ﷺ or the Companions رضي الله عنهم ever requested supplication from Jews or Christians. • What is legislated for the Muslim is that he supplicates to Allah himself, or requests supplication from a righteous Muslim whose supplication is hoped to be accepted.

And Allah knows best.

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Is It Permissible to Ask a Non-Muslim to Make Du'a for You?

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From the Qur'an:

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