Question:
Can we make du‘a to Allahﷻ for non-Muslim friends regarding worldly matters?
Answer:
For matters related to the Hereafter, such as forgiveness after death, that is a different issue. But for worldly matters — such as praying for their health, recovery from illness, relief from hardship — there is no problem in making du‘a. One can pray for their well-being and guidance.
He explains the question like this: Suppose a non-Muslim friend is sick. Can we say, “O Allah, cure him”? Or if he is in poverty, can we say, “O Allah, remove his poverty”? If he is in debt, can we ask Allahﷻ to free him from debt? Can we pray like this for the worldly problems of a non-Muslim friend?
As for matters of the Hereafter, that is different. We cannot ask Allahﷻ to grant Paradise to someone who does not believe in Him. There is no difference of opinion about that. Even the Prophetﷺ was prevented from asking forgiveness for certain close relatives who died in disbelief. So regarding the Hereafter, we do not make such du‘a. But for worldly matters, can we pray? Yes, we can. There is plenty of evidence for that.
In Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 2276), Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri (RA) and some companions were traveling. They came to a village and asked the people for hospitality, but the villagers refused. The companions camped separately. Then the leader of that village was stung by a scorpion. They tried many treatments, but nothing worked. So, they came to the companions and asked, “Is there anyone among you who can recite something for him?” One of them recited Surah al-Fatiha for his cure. He recovered. Later, when they informed the Prophetﷺ, he accepted it. That village leader was not a Muslim. He had even refused them hospitality. Yet they recited for his healing, and the Prophetﷺ did not question why they did so for a non-Muslim. From this, it is clear that making du‘a for relief from worldly suffering is allowed.
Similarly, in the Qur’an, when Allahﷻ sent punishments upon Pharaoh’s people—frogs, lice, and other afflictions—they went to Prophet Musa (Alaihis Salam) and said, “O Musa, pray to your Lord for us, based on the covenant He has made with you. If you remove this punishment, we will believe and send the Children of Israel with you.” Musa made du‘a, and Allahﷻ removed the punishment. Later they broke their promise. These events are mentioned in Surah 7:134–135 and also in Surah 43:49–50. Musa (Alaihi Salam) did not say, “You are disbelievers; I will not pray for you.” He prayed, and Allahﷻ accepted it.
Likewise, Ibrahim (Alahis Salam) made du‘a that his city be made secure and that its people be provided with fruits. At first, he mentioned the people generally, and then he specified those who believe. Allahﷻ responded that even those who disbelieve would be given provision for a time. This is in Surah 2:126. So, worldly provision is not restricted only to believers.
There are also many verses showing that when disbelievers face severe hardship, they sincerely call upon Allahﷻ alone. Allahﷻ says that when sudden punishment comes, they forget their false gods and call upon Him. If He wills, He removes their distress. These meanings are found in Surah 6:40–43, Surah 6:63–64, Surah 10:21–23, Surah 17:67, Surah 29:65, Surah 31:32, Surah 39:8, and other places. Even if a person was associating partners with Allah, when he turns sincerely in hardship and asks for relief in worldly matters, Allahﷻ may respond.
So, if Allahﷻ may respond to a disbeliever who calls upon Him for worldly relief, then asking Allahﷻ on behalf of a non-Muslim friend for relief from illness, poverty, or hardship in this world is permissible. What is not allowed is asking for forgiveness or Paradise for someone who dies in disbelief. That is the distinction.