Can Attending a Shia Mourning Gathering Amount to Kufr?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

In my college years, I had a Shia friend whose grandfather died. She invited us to their home on the 40th day. She was upset we hadn’t visited her after his death. They held a majlis that I wasn’t aware of, and we attended to show our respect.

I didn’t know I wasn’t aware of it, and we attended to show we’d heard them say anything bad that day, but I was worried when they stood up at the end, and my friend asked us to do the same. Now, I worry because I have become obsessed with issues related to disbelief (kufr).

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

If you went to pay your respects at your friend’s house and ended up standing in honor of the late father or reading some Quran, it would not constitute disbelief (kufr). So, mere attendance under social pressure is not adoption of another creed, as your intention matters.

Actions Are by Their Intentions

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Verily actions are by their intentions, and one shall only have that which one intended.” [Bukhari; Muslim]

The fact that you are concerned shows you are a firm believer. The worry is a sign of faith, just as some of the Companions’ concern about bad thoughts coming to them. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “That is clear faith.” [Muslim]

Your issue concerns matters of disbelief. Focus on healing. Allah knows you are a believer, and so is your family. Kufr is an active choice, not something that happens by accident. Ask Allah for ease and peace of mind.

May Allah grant you wellbeing, afiya, and goodness in this world and the next. Amin.

And Allah knows best.

[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

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Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.