Short answer
Yes. You may recite al-Fatihah and other ayat and authentic duas over a sick non-Muslim and blow lightly over them, with their agreement. A group of Companions did ruqyah for a tribal chief stung by a scorpion, and the Prophet ﷺ approved it. Make dua for their cure and their guidance too.
Ruqyah with the Quran and authentic duas is permitted for anyone, Muslim or not. Making dua for a non-Muslim's health and guidance is allowed; asking forgiveness for one who died upon disbelief is not.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
Some Companions travelling stopped at an Arab tribe that refused them hospitality. The tribe's chief was then stung by a scorpion, and one of the Companions recited al-Fatihah over him and blew, and he recovered. When they told the Prophet ﷺ, he asked, "How did you know it is a ruqyah?" and approved what they had done. Scholars note that the tribe was not described as Muslim, and they took this as a basis for doing ruqyah for non-Muslims.
The Prophet ﷺ also visited a sick Jewish boy who used to serve him and invited him to Islam. Kindness to non-Muslim neighbours and friends who do not fight Muslims is something Allah does not forbid. Reciting over a sick friend, colleague or relative can be a beautiful way of showing them what the Quran is.
How to do it:
- ask their permission first, and explain simply what you will do
- recite al-Fatihah, Ayat al-Kursi, al-Ikhlas, al-Falaq and al-Nas, and blow lightly
- say the duas the Prophet ﷺ taught for the sick, such as "O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the harm and cure, You are the Healer"
- make dua for their cure and for Allah to guide them
If a non-Muslim wants to read or touch a printed mushaf, that raises a separate question; giving them a translation is a simple way around it. Ruqyah does not replace medicine, so encourage them to follow a qualified doctor's advice. See is ruqyah allowed and visiting a sick non-Muslim.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-Israa 17:82
وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ ٱلْقُرْءَانِ مَا هُوَ شِفَآءٌۭ وَرَحْمَةٌۭ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۙ وَلَا يَزِيدُ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ إِلَّا خَسَارًۭا ﴿٨٢﴾
And We send down of the Qur'an that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss.
The Quran is a means of healing.
Quran, Surah Al-Mumtahana 60:8
لَّا يَنْهَىٰكُمُ ٱللَّهُ عَنِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَٰتِلُوكُمْ فِى ٱلدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوكُم مِّن دِيَٰرِكُمْ أَن تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُقْسِطِينَ ﴿٨﴾
Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.
Kindness to peaceful non-Muslims is allowed.
Sahih al-Bukhari 2276
Sahih... وما يدريك أنها رقية ...
"How did you know that it is a ruqyah?"
The Prophet approved ruqyah done for a tribal chief who was not described as Muslim.
Sahih al-Bukhari 5743
Sahih... اللهم رب الناس أذهب البأس اشفه وأنت الشافي ...
"O Allah, Lord of mankind, remove the harm and cure him, for You are the Healer."
A dua for the sick that can be said over anyone.
Sahih al-Bukhari 1356
Sahih... الحمد لله الذي أنقذه من النار ...
"Praise be to Allah who saved him from the Fire."
The Prophet visited a sick Jewish boy and invited him to Islam.
Where the ruling is recorded
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Hazr wa al-Ibaha, on ruqyah. Ruqyah with the Quran and known duas is permitted.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.