Are the Prayers of Non-Muslims Answered?
Question:
Is it possible that Allah answers the prayers of non-Muslims do disbelieve in Islam?
Answer:
Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
Dear questioner,
Thank you for your important question.
Everyone is given a choice to do what is right and what is wrong. Everyone who has heard the message of Islam is responsible for their actions, and they are obligated to believe in Islam and reject false religions.
Those whom the message of Islam has reached, and then stubbornly persist in disbelief, may well be tested by Allah by allowing their prayers to false gods to be answered. This is called istidraj: sending someone who is doing wrong further away from the right path.
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “When you see Allah giving a slave, in spite of his persistence in sin, everything he wants in This Life, then know that that is simply a way to send him further astray (istidraj). He then recited the words of Allah, ‘When they became oblivious to warnings, We showered them with everything they desired. But just as they became prideful of what they were given, We seized them by surprise, then they instantly fell into despair!'” [Qur’an, 6:44] [Ahmad and Bayhaqi; Musnad Ahmad, ed. Shaykh Shu’ayb al-Arna’ut]
This may apply to sinful believers and to disbelievers alike.
So if they have been taught about Islam and yet continue to be follow other religions, the answers that they receive to their prayers are just Allah’s way of sending them further astray. It does not prove that their religion is true.
Please also see this answer from Shaykh Nuh Keller on other religions:
I pray this helps.
[Ustadh] Farid Dingle
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language.
