Saying جزاك الله خيرا to a Kaafir


Question 353:

My question is what is the ruling on saying جزاك الله خيرا to a kaafir believing that if Allah was to reward the kaafir with good that would be in him embracing Islam and all that comes with it.

Answer :

We should not say this saying to Kuffar. It is enough saying to them with “Shukran” or “Thanks”. The kaafir will not be rewarded for his actions and he will only be fed for his actions in this world.

Answered by : Shaykh Abu Bilal Al Hadhrami

Translated the summary of answer by : AbdnNoor Al Hindi

Translator note :

We can pray for guidance for them as mentioned in the hadeeth below.

Abu Musã narrated: “The Jews used to sneeze in the presence of the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) 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 Tirmidhi – 2739, Shaykh Al Albani said it is Sahih