The Lajnah ad-Da’imah was asked the following question:
Question:
I live in a rural area where there are Muslims and Christians. Whenever a Muslim dies, the Christians attend and follow his funeral and burial, and then offer condolences to the bereaved family. This made the mayor of the village suggests following the same practice when one of the Christians dies. He says that when a Christian dies, we should follow his funeral procession and offer condolences to the Christians. What is the ruling on this action? Please advise us, may Allah reward you.
Answer:
It is not permissible for a Muslim to follow the funeral of a Kafir (non-Muslim) or to attend his burial, because Allah (Glorified be He) has forbidden us from supporting and befriending Kafirs. As for offering condolences to Kafirs, there is no harm in it, yet do not supplicate to Allah to forgive their deceased.
May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.
The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’
Also Ash-Shaykh Saalih al Fawzaan, may Allah preserve him, was asked the following question:
Question:
Is it permissible to attend the funeral of a Kaafir, if there is a benefit in it. For example if a person were not to attend the funeral of his relatives whom are Kuffaar they would get angry at him?
Answer:
“That is not permissible, it is not permissible for a Muslim that he attends the funeral of a Kaafir because this is a form of Muwaalah (showing allegiance to him) except for a scenario where the disbeliever has no one else to bury him, then (in this case) he is to buried as the Prophet, alaihi as salaatu wa as salaam, commanded Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, to bury Abaa Taalib. So if the Kaafir has no one else to bury him, then the Muslim buries him.”
[Extracted from the website of Shaykh hafidaho-Allah]
A Side Note: However, the Shaykh, may Allah preserve him, mentioned that it is permissible to visit the grave of a kaafir after the completion of the funeral in order to benefit an admonition and take heed (from the visit).
Translated by
AbdulFattaah Bin Uthman
Abu Fajr
