Is it permissible for a Muslim to say "I wish everyone was like you, O Lord" intending the diligence of a disbeliever in their work, and to say "May Allah reward you with good" to him, intending to invite him to Islam?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
There is no harm in praising a disbeliever for their diligence in work, provided that the praise is qualified so as not to imply commendation of their false religion. Similarly, there is no harm in saying "May Allah reward you with good" (Jazakallahu Khairan) to a disbeliever with the intention of guiding them and improving their condition, due to the general nature of the Islamic legal texts in this regard. It is, however, recommended to be keen on inviting them to Islam and clarifying the falsehoods of their religion.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/95598
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 95598
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy