Do We Pray for and Allow Inheritance for Someone Who Mocks Religion?

Answered by Shaykh Dr. Muhammad Abu Bakr Badhib

Question

If a person is known for mocking religion and cursing religion, do we pray for him upon his death, and does he inherit?

Answer

In the name of Allah, and all praise is due to Allah, and blessings and peace be upon our master Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, his Family, his Companions, and those who follow him.

Mocking religion or cursing religion, Allah forbid, is prohibited and is considered one of the major sins. Such actions are characteristic of those whose deeds are evil and who are forsaken by Allah. This behavior is the work of the devil. However, every action and every utterance has an intention and purpose:

• If the person cursing religion means to criticize the individual’s way of practicing religion, their piety, and their morals, then they are sinful and committing a transgression that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) described as immoral. He said: “Reviling a Muslim is immorality and fighting him is disbelief,” [Bukhari; Muslim]
• However, if someone curses the religion with the intention of denigrating Islam itself, knowingly and willingly, then this constitutes disbelief that takes them out of the fold of Islam.

The jurists of the four schools of thought have detailed discussions on this issue, identifying what constitutes apostasy and what does not. Imam Nawawi mentioned in his book, al-Rawda: “The Book of Apostasy: It is one of the vilest forms of disbelief and the harshest in ruling.” He continued, “It severs one’s Islam and can occur:

• Sometimes through utterances that are disbelief.
• Sometimes through actions, which include deliberate acts of mockery towards religion, such as prostrating to an idol or the sun, or throwing the Quran in filth.”

He further listed the types of apostasy: “Denying the prophethood of any prophet, mocking a prophet, or belittling them.” [Nawawi, Rawdat al-Talibin]

There is a crucial detail that requires the presence of an indication showing the intention of mockery. [Shabramallisi, Hashiyat al-Shabramallisi]

Haytami elaborated on the statements that constitute disbelief if intended. [Haytami, al-I‘lam bi Qawati‘ al-Islam]

The Egyptian Dar al-Ifta issued a detailed fatwa that includes the guidelines for declaring someone who mocks religion as a disbeliever. It aligns with the content of this brief answer. It concluded:

“Based on what was mentioned and in the context of the question: cursing religion is religiously prohibited; if the person intends to criticize an individual’s way of practicing religion, their piety, and their morals, they are sinful and committing a transgression described by the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) as immorality. However, they are not to be declared a disbeliever. If someone curses the religion intending to denigrate Islam itself, knowingly and willingly, then they are an apostate and have left the fold of Islam.” [Dar al-Ifta’ al-Misriyya]

Conclusion

Based on the above, it is up to the judge to examine the specific circumstances of the case brought before them regarding someone accused of cursing religion. The judge must ascertain whether the utterance was made in anger or ignorance, or whether it was made intentionally and deliberately.

The judicial ruling will determine whether the deceased, who was known for cursing religion, will be prayed for or not and whether his wealth will be inherited or he will be considered a disbeliever who does not inherit. A sinner (fasiq) will still be prayed for and his wealth inherited, unlike someone judged to have apostatized, Allah forbid.

Finally, anyone who hears someone utter such blasphemy should advise them through every available means, with gentleness, wisdom, and good admonition. Being complacent about sin is another transgression, and the severity of its sin matches that of the perpetrator. Allah, in His Holy Book, warned His servants against sitting with those who mock Allah and His verses. He said:

“He has already revealed to you in the Book that when you hear Allah’s revelations being denied or ridiculed, then do not sit in that company unless they engage in a different topic, or else you will be like them. Surely Allah will gather the hypocrites and disbelievers all together in Hell.” [Quran, 4:140]

We ask Allah for guidance for all, and to make us aware of our flaws, and to guide us all to sincere repentance. We seek forgiveness from Allah and repent to Him from any utterance we have made in private or in public that does not please Him. O Allah, accept our repentance and guide us to righteous deeds. Blessings and peace be upon our Master and Prophet Muhammad, his Family, and all his Companions. Our final prayer is praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.

[Shaykh] Dr. Muhammad Abu Bakr Badhib

Shaykh Dr Muhammad Abu Bakr Badhib is a prominent Islamic scholar from Yemen born in Shibam, Hadhramaut, in 1976. He received his degree in Shari‘a from Al-Ahqaf University, a master’s degree from the Islamic University of Beirut, and a PhD in Usul al-Din from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).