IS IT PERMISSIBLE TO MAKE DUA FOR NON-MUSLIMS?
Does the Qur’an state that we are not allowed to make du’a for non-believers (kaafirs)? The answer is yes, we are allowed.
IS IT PERMISSIBLE TO MAKE DUA FOR NON-MUSLIMS?
There’s some debate as to whether we are allowed to make du’a for the non-believers. The ayat which is often referenced is:
مَا كَانَ لِلنَّبِىِّ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَن يَسْتَغْفِرُوا۟ لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ وَلَوْ كَانُوٓا۟ أُو۟لِى قُرْبَىٰ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُمْ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلْجَحِيمِ
It is not ˹proper˺ for the Prophet and the believers to seek forgiveness for the polytheists, even if they were close relatives, after it has become clear to the believers that they are bound for the Hellfire.
وَمَا كَانَ ٱسْتِغْفَارُ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ لِأَبِيهِ إِلَّا عَن مَّوْعِدَةٍۢ وَعَدَهَآ إِيَّاهُ فَلَمَّا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُۥٓ أَنَّهُۥ عَدُوٌّۭ لِّلَّهِ تَبَرَّأَ مِنْهُ ۚ إِنَّ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ لَأَوَّٰهٌ حَلِيمٌۭ
As for Abraham’s prayer for his father’s forgiveness, it was only in fulfilment of a promise he had made to him. But when it became clear to Abraham that his father was an enemy of Allah, he broke ties with him.1 Abraham was truly tender-hearted, forbearing. [source]
Just reading this verse alone, without any context can give the impression that it is not befitting for any Muslim to make du’a for the non-believer, even if they were close relatives.
Also read AMANA RASUL
At the time Rasulullah (ﷺ) had been preaching for over a decade in Mecca but eventually, Allah (swt) closed the door for the Prophet (ﷺ) to make du’a for these people because they were declared companions of Hellfire. The verdict was made by Allah (swt) and any du’a made afterward would be pointless since their fate had been sealed. This was also the case for Abu Lahab and Prophet Ibrahim’s father.
But we do not know the fate of other non-believing people, we can continue to make du’a for their forgiveness and for their guidance just as all the other Prophets did for their respective communities. That is up until they pass away having committed shirk, then their case is with Allah.
FROM PROPHET NUH (AS)
رَّبِّ ٱغْفِرْ لِى وَلِوَٰلِدَىَّ وَلِمَن دَخَلَ بَيْتِىَ مُؤْمِنًۭا وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ وَلَا تَزِدِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ إِلَّا تَبَارًۢا
My Lord! Forgive me, my parents, and whoever enters my house in faith, and ˹all˺ believing men and women. And increase the wrongdoers only in destruction.” [source]
