What is the ruling on supplicating for someone not for the sake of Allah, such that the supplicant stipulates a personal interest to be fulfilled in exchange for the supplication, and does this fall under the category of shirk (polytheism)?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Praying for someone who has done a favor is not showing off (riya'). Riya' is performing an action to please people. However, whoever prays for someone who has done him a favor has obeyed the command of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "Whoever does you a favor, reciprocate it. If you cannot find anything to reciprocate with, then supplicate for him." Thus, reciprocating with prayer is praiseworthy and legitimate, as is promising to do so. And doing a favor seeking prayer is neither polytheism () nor showing off (riya').
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/188528
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 188528
- 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