Is It Sinful to Hide Someone’s Apostasy Before Their Burial?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
Is it sinful to hide someone’s apostasy, especially if they die and others, unaware of it, arrange an Islamic burial? Could my silence be considered disbelief?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
Yes, concealing knowledge of someone’s apostasy—especially if it results in them being treated as a Muslim in death—is sinful and impermissible. This is because such silence enables others to unintentionally violate Allah’s Sacred Law, such as performing the janaza prayer or burial rites for someone who had left Islam. However, while this would be a serious sin, it does not constitute disbelief (kufr), unless the concealment was done out of rejection of the Sacred Law or mockery of it.
The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:
“Whoever among you sees a wrong, he must change it with his hand; if he is unable to do so, then he should speak out against it; and if he is unable to do so, then with he should feel discontent in his heart; and that is the weakest form of Faith” [Muslim]
Failing to speak when your silence would lead others to act contrary to Allah’s Law is, in itself, a breach of His Law. While a person may be motivated by discomfort, shame, or fear of causing distress, this cannot justify knowingly facilitating the breach of Divine Law.
At the same time, it is important not to confuse sinful silence with disbelief. Disbelief entails denial, rejection, or mockery of the faith itself, not weakness or failure to act. If you found yourself in this position, sincere tawba (repentance), increased resolve, and future vigilance would be the way forward.
And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town. He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.
