Praying for a non-Muslim

As regards praying for a non Muslim, this falls into three categories:

1)    Praying for a non Muslim to be guided to Islaam and so on. This is permissible based on the narration from Ibn Umar that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “O Allaah, support Islam with the man who is more beloved to You: Abu Jahl or Umar al-Khattaab.” at-Tirmidhee recorded it and graded authentic by al-Albaanee.  In the above narration, the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) was praying for one of them to be guided.

2)    Praying for a non Muslim to be forgiven and so on. This is forbidden according to the consensus of the scholars. Imaam An-Nawawee said: “With regard to offering the funeral prayer for a non–Muslim and praying for forgiveness for him, this is prohibited according to the text of the Qur’aan and consensus of the scholars.” al-Majmoo 5/120

3)    Praying for a non Muslim to be healed from sickness. This is permissible if it there is benefit in it, such as if one hopes that he will become Muslim and that his heart will be softened and so on. The proof of this is the hadeeth of the Companion who performed Ruqyah for the chief of a tribe who had been stung by a scorpion, and praying for healing is similar to performing Ruqyah.