Participating in funerals of non-Muslims
Category:
Miscellaneous
According to Madhhab:
Hanafi
Reference:
1440-611
Question:
1.
Is it permissible to attend the funeral of a non Muslim i.e. the actual burial
at the cemetery?
2. If a Muslim's relative who is a non Muslim passes away or someone's non
Muslim neighbour or acquaintance passes away, in which ways will it be
permissible for the Muslim to assist (paying for burial expenses, organising
food for the family, sympathising with the family, attending the burial, etc.)?
3. There is a narration that mentions that when Abu Talib died, Rasulullah
Sallallahu alayhi wasallam told Ali to bury his father. He also told him to
perform the ghusl. The narration appears in Sunan al-Nasai, vol. 1 book 1
hadith 190.
a.) Kindly explain this incident and b.) whether any ruling may be deduced from
this incident (since the incident took place in Makkah, in the early stages of
Islam).
Is it permissible to attend the funeral of a non Muslim i.e. the actual burial
at the cemetery?
2. If a Muslim's relative who is a non Muslim passes away or someone's non
Muslim neighbour or acquaintance passes away, in which ways will it be
permissible for the Muslim to assist (paying for burial expenses, organising
food for the family, sympathising with the family, attending the burial, etc.)?
3. There is a narration that mentions that when Abu Talib died, Rasulullah
Sallallahu alayhi wasallam told Ali to bury his father. He also told him to
perform the ghusl. The narration appears in Sunan al-Nasai, vol. 1 book 1
hadith 190.
a.) Kindly explain this incident and b.) whether any ruling may be deduced from
this incident (since the incident took place in Makkah, in the early stages of
Islam).
Answer:
(1). It is not permissible to attend the funeral or participate in the burial of a Kaafir.
[Re:- Fataawa Darul Uloom Zakariyya Pg.640 Vol.2]
(2). It will be permissible to symphatise with the family of the deceased in the sense that Allah Ta'aala must give them a better replacement. One shouldn’t accompany the funeral procession as this is tantamount to honouring the corpse of a Kaafir which is worthy of humiliation and not respect. [Re:- Imdaadul Muftiyeen Pg.366 Vol.1 & 2]
There is no harm in feeding one’s non-Muslim neighbour or relative under normal circumstances, hence feeding them (on the basis of being a neighbor or relative) in this instance too will be acceptable.
One should refrain from affording any form of financial assistance as it is possible that a portion of their burial funds are contributed to their religious organizations and leaders.
(3). The commentators of Hadith have written that if a Muslim’s close non-Muslim relative passes away, the Muslim relative should bury him. However, this practice shouldn’t be publicized and spread amongst the people. Furthermore, it is restricted to those who are for some reason, compelled to participate in the burial (for instance when there is no one else available to bury him apart from the Muslim relative), and not a general ruling.
]باب في الرجل يموت له قرابة مشرك[، أي: ماذا يفعل؟ معلوم أنه يواريه، ولا بد من ذلك، ولا يشيَّع، لكنه لابد أن يوارى ويدفن. وقد أورد أبو داود حديث علي رضي الله عنه: أنه لما مات أبوه أبو طالب على الشرك والكفر ذهب إلى النبي عليه الصلاة والسلام وقال له: )إن عمك الشيخ الضال قد مات، قال: اذهب فواره( أي: ادفنه في التراب، )ولا تحدثن شيئاً حتى تأتيني، فذهب وفعل ما أُمر به، ثم إنه رجع فأمره رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أن يغتسل ودعا له(، فهذا يدل على أن القريب المشرك إذا مات فإنه يجب على أقربائه المسلمين أن يواروه، ولكن لا يشرع تشييعه، ولا الذهاب معه، وإنما يذهب به من يحتاج إليه في مواراته ودفنه )شرح سنن ابي داود عبد المحسن العباد( –
AND ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST
ANSWERED BY: Mufti Mohammed Desai
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY: Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B
Date: 25 Dhul Hiujjah 1440
English Date: 27 August 2019