Is the Funeral Prayer Offered for a Non-Muslim? And Is One Excused for Understanding That from Quran 9:84?

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question

Someone has claimed that the funeral prayer could even be obligatory for non-Muslims, using Quran 9:84 as evidence, and arguing that only Allah knows who died upon disbelief. Is this understanding correct? And is the person excused for this misreading?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate.

The funeral prayer is only offered for a Muslim. Quran 9:84 is clear proof of this prohibition, not a permission for it. If someone misunderstands this, they have reversed the clear meaning of the verse. Such a person should be corrected with gentleness and care. We do not judge someone’s faith for a mistake in interpretation.

Allah Most High says, “And never pray over any of them who dies or stand in supplication over his grave; verily they have committed unbelief in Allah and His messenger, and died as godless men.” [Quran 9:84; Keller, The Quran Beheld]

The verse came down concerning the hypocrites, at the death of their chief, Abdullah ibn Ubayy. Imam Baghawi notes in his great commentary on the Quran that after it, the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) never again prayed over a hypocrite nor stood at his grave. [Baghawi, Maalim al-Tanzil]

Imam Nasafi explains that what is forbidden is the funeral prayer itself, because those who disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger are not fit to be prayed over. [Nasafi, Madarik al-Tanzil] To read this verse as permitting, or even obligating, the funeral prayer for a non-Muslim is to misunderstand its meaning.

The Ruling Is the Same Across the Schools

In the Hanafi school, Imam Shurunbulali lists the conditions of the funeral prayer and begins with the Islam of the deceased:

«وشرائطها ستة، أولها إسلام الميت، لأنها شفاعة وليست لكافر»

“Its conditions are six, the first being the Islam of the deceased, for it is an intercession, and there is no intercession for a disbeliever.” [Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah]

The Shafi’i school is identical. Imam Imrani writes:

«إذا مات كافر لم تجز الصلاة عليه … ولأن الصلاة للرحمة، والكافر لا يُرحَم. ويجوز غسله وكفنه ودفنه»

—“When a disbeliever dies, it is not permitted to pray over him … because the prayer is a plea for mercy, and the disbeliever is not shown mercy. Washing, shrouding, and burying him, however, are permitted.” [Imrani, al-Bayan]

The claim that we cannot know who died upon disbelief confuses two separate matters:

First, in matters of worldly rulings, we act according to what is outward and apparent. If someone lived and died openly outside of Islam, we treat them according to that reality. The funeral prayer is not offered for such a person.

Second, the final fate of every person rests solely with Allah. This is true, but it is a different matter from the rulings we apply in this life.

What We Do Instead

We show respect to the body and leave the funeral rites to the deceased’s own family and community. We do not perform the Islamic funeral prayer over a non-Muslim. The dignified and proper way is to allow his own people to carry out his rites. At the same time, we treat the remains with the kindness and care that Islam teaches. Washing, shrouding, and burial are permitted, as Imam Imrani mentioned.

As for his fate, we do not seek forgiveness (istighfar) for one who has died upon disbelief, for Allah says, “It is not for the Prophet and those who believe to ask forgiveness for the idolaters, even though they be kinsmen” [Quran 9:113]. Yet we consign his affair to Allah, who “does not punish until He sends a messenger” [Quran 17:15], and whose mercy embraces those never truly reached by the message. The fuller treatment is in the related answer below.

Correct the Mistake, Not the Person’s Faith

Regarding whether he is excused: the way of Ahl al-Sunna is not to declare a Muslim a disbeliever for a mistake in interpretation. If a statement can be understood soundly, we do not make judgments about someone’s faith. Ignorance and misreading are clear reasons to withhold such judgments. Share the true meaning of 9:84 with him gently. If he accepts it, the matter is settled.

And Allah knows best.

[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani

Related Answers

1. Can We Pray for Non-Muslims Who Passed Away?
2. What Are the Impediments to Takfir?
3. Are We to Refrain from Making Takfir Completely?
4. What Does It Mean for a Matter to Be Known in the Religion by Necessity?

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a recognized specialist scholar in the Islamic sciences, having studied under leading scholars from around the world. He is the Founder and Executive Director of SeekersGuidance.

Shaykh Faraz stands as a distinguished figure in Islamic scholarship. His journey in seeking knowledge is marked by dedication and depth. He spent ten years studying under some of the most revered scholars of our times. His initial studies took place in Damascus. He then continued in Amman, Jordan.

In Damascus, he was privileged to learn from the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas. Shaykh Adib al-Kallas was renowned as the foremost theologian of his time. Shaykh Faraz also studied under Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi in Damascus. Shaykh Hassan is recognized as one of the leading Hanafi jurists of our era.

Upon completing his studies, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in 2007. His return marked a new chapter in his service to the community. He founded SeekersGuidance. The organization reflects his commitment to spreading Islamic knowledge. It aims to be reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible. This mission addresses both online and on-the-ground needs.

Shaykh Faraz is also an accomplished author. His notable work includes “Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School,” published by White Thread Press in 2004, which is a significant contribution to Islamic literature.

His influence extends beyond his immediate community. Since 2011, Shaykh Faraz has been recognized as one of the 500 most influential Muslims. This recognition comes from the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center. It underscores his impact on the global Islamic discourse.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani’s life and work embody a profound commitment to Islamic scholarship. His teachings continue to enlighten and guide seekers of knowledge worldwide.