Question:
Assalamualaikum, is it permissible for us to supplicate for a non-Muslim when he sneezes?
Answer:
Waalaikumussalam.
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
According to the above question, there is a hadith narrated by Imam al-Tirmizi in his Sunan:
- From Abu Musa RA, he said:
كَانَ اليَهُودُ يَتَعَاطَسُونَ عِنْدَ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَرْجُونَ أَنْ يَقُولَ لَهُمْ: يَرْحَمُكُمُ اللَّهُ، فَيَقُولُ: يَهْدِيكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيُصْلِحُ بَالَكُمْ
The Jews used to sneeze in the presence of the Prophet (ﷺ) hoping that he would say: 'Yarhamukumullah (May Allah have mercy upon you).' So, he said: 'Yahdikumullahu Wa Yuslihu Balakum (May Allah guide you and rectify your affairs).'"
Sunan al-Tirmizi (2739) [The hadith is evaluated as hasan sahih by Imam al-Tirmizi]
According to this hadith, it shows that it is impermissible for us to supplicate for blessings and forgiveness for the non-Muslims. However, we are commanded to supplicate for them to be given hidayah (guidance) towards the road of truth.
Answer for Muslims When Others Supplicate for Him
According to Ibn Batthal, the majority of scholars hold the opinion that for a person who sneezes, when he is answering the supplication for him, he should answer it with “يَهْدِيكُمِ اللَّهُ وَيُصْلِحُ بَالَكُمْ” which means, “May Allah guides and improves your situation.”. However, Kufah scholars hold the opinion that the answer for a person who sneezes is “يَغْفِرُ اللَّهُ لَنَا وَلَكُمْ” which means “May Allah forgives us and you.”. This is narrated by Imam al-Thabari from Ibn Mas’ud and Ibn Umar and other than them both. According to Malik and al-Syafie, one of the two phrases can be chosen. (See Tuhfah al-Ahwazi, 12/8)
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is permissible to supplicate for the non-Muslims when they sneeze. However, we should supplicate for them to be granted guidance and not blessings and forgiveness. May Allah SWT blesses and forgives all our sins and make us from among His believing slaves. Amin.
Wallahua’lam.