Short answer
Yes. Visiting a sick non-Muslim relative, neighbour or colleague is permitted and a good deed, and the Prophet ﷺ himself visited a sick Jewish boy. You can pray for their healing and comfort them. All four schools agree in principle.
Visiting a sick Jew or Christian is permitted with no harm in it, and visiting a non-Muslim relative or neighbour is part of good relations. Praying for their health and guidance is allowed.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
A Jewish boy used to serve the Prophet ﷺ. When the boy fell ill, the Prophet went to visit him, sat by his head and invited him to Islam. The boy looked at his father, who told him to obey Abul Qasim, and he accepted Islam. The hadith shows visiting a non-Muslim who is ill, sitting close, and speaking with care. The four schools agree that it is allowed.
- What to do: bring something kind, ask how they are, offer practical help to the family, keep the visit short if they are tired.
- What to say: "I hope you feel better soon", "May God heal you". You can quietly make dua for their healing and guidance.
- Talking about faith: if the person is close to you and open to it, gentle words about Allah's mercy are good. Never pressure someone who is unwell.
- In hospital: follow the hospital rules, and pray your salah in the prayer room or any clean corner.
Visiting the sick is one of the rights Muslims have over each other, and extending it to non-Muslim neighbours and family is a powerful act of good character. Many people remember who came to see them when they were ill. See rights of neighbours and dua for visiting the sick.
The evidence
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 toward peaceful non-Muslims is permitted and loved by Allah.
Sahih al-Bukhari 1356
Sahih... الحمد لله الذي أنقذه من النار ...
"Praise be to Allah who saved him from the Fire."
Said by the Prophet ﷺ after visiting a sick Jewish boy who then accepted Islam.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Karahiyya, Masa'il mutafarriqa. There is no harm in visiting a sick Jew or Christian.
This answer is pending review by the scholars on our team. 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.