Fatwa ID: 05635

Answered by: Maulana Mohammed Haroon Hussain

Question:

Assalaamu Alaikum. Is it permissible to give charity on behalf of a sick non-Muslim with intention of speedy recovery?

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

A Muslim wants goodness for people by his very nature. We ask Allah (SWT) to spread guidance throughout the land and bring about peace and harmony between people. We want everyone to be saved from Allah’s anger and Jahannam on the day of judgement. So, we are truly the well-wishers of all humanity.

The general rule with regards to prayers is that one is allowed to pray for non-Muslims whilst they are alive. It is only after they have died that we are not allowed to ask Allah for their forgiveness[1]. It is mentioned in many narrations that Rasulullah ﷺ prayed for the guidance of different non-Muslims and different non-Muslim tribes.

For example:

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ: جَاءَ الطُّفَيْلُ بْنُ عَمْرٍو الدَّوْسِيُّ، إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، فَقَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ دَوْسًا قَدْ عَصَتْ وَأَبَتْ، فَادْعُ اللَّهَ عَلَيْهَا، فَاسْتَقْبَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ الْقِبْلَةَ، وَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ، فَقَالَ النَّاسُ: هَلَكَتْ دَوْسٌ، فَقَالَ: اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِ دَوْسًا، وَأْتِ بِهِمْ[2]

So, Rasulullah ﷺ has set the example for us, where he prayed for the guidance of disbelieving tribes. Guidance is the greatest thing a person can pray for and it is proven from ahadith. Therefore, anything less than guidance will also be permissible.

• It is permissible to give regular charity to non-Muslims (e.g. in emergencies and as relief aid).
• It is permissible (and recommended) to pray for their guidance.
• It is permissible to pray for their recovery.
• It is permissible to do some good action (like giving charity) to attract the mercy of Allah (SWT) and to appeal to Him to guide them and help them during whatever difficulty they may be undergoing (e.g. health issues).

We ask Allah (SWT) to spread guidance throughout the world and bless us with the goodness of both worlds.

Only Allah knows best

Written by Maulana Mohammed Haroon Hussain

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

[1]سورة التوبة: 84

[2] ص150 – شرح السنة للبغوي – باب الدعاء للكفار بالهداية