Can we say RIP when a non Muslim dies?

by Asma bint Shameem

ANSWER

When a non muslim dies, it is NOT allowed for Muslims to say “Rest in Peace” or “RIP”.

That’s because saying Rest In Peace or RIP is a form of “duaa” for them.

And we are not allowed to make duaa for non Muslims after they have died.

It is Allaah Himself, who has told us not to do that. 

📌 Proof:

🍃 The Prophet ﷺ kept calling his uncle Abu Taalib to accept Islaam when he was dying, and the Prophet ﷺ said: 

“I will pray for forgiveness for you so long as I am not forbidden to do so.” 

Then the following Aayaat from Surah at-Taubah were revealed:

“It is not (proper) for the Prophet and those who believe, to ask Allaah’s forgiveness for the Mushrikoon, even though they be of kin, after it has become clear to them that they are the dwellers of the Fire (because they died in a state of disbelief).

And Ibraaheem’s invoking (of Allaah) for his father’s forgiveness was only because of a promise he [Ibraaheem] had made to him (his father).

But when it became clear to him that he (his father) is an enemy of Allaah, he dissociated himself from him.

Verily, Ibraaheem was Awwah (one who invokes Allaah with humility, glorifies Him and remembers Him much) and was forbearing”

[al-Tawbah 9:113-114]

🍃Also the Prophet ﷺ said:

“I asked my Lord for permission to pray for forgiveness for my mother, and He did not give me permission. 

I asked Him for permission to visit her grave, and He granted me permission.” 

(Saheeh Muslim)

Subhaan Allaah!

If even the Prophet ﷺ was not allowed to make duaa for his own mother, then what about anyone else?

🍃Imaam Al-Nawawi said: 

“This indicates that it is forbidden to pray for forgiveness for the non Muslims.”

So Allaah forbade that for the Prophet ﷺ as well as for the rest of the Muslims. 

🍃 Ibn Taymiyah said: 

“Praying for forgiveness for a disbeliever is not permissible according to the Qur’aan, the Sunnah and scholarly consensus.”

(Majmoo‘ al-Fataawa, 12/489)

🔺Whoever dies on a religion other than Islaam, is destined to Hellfire unless they repent before they die.

🍃 Allaah said:

“Verily, whosoever sets up partners (in worship) with Allaah, then Allaah has forbidden Paradise to him, and the Fire will be his abode.”

(Surah al-Maa'idah 5:72)

🍃 And the Prophet ﷺ said: 

“Whoever dies claiming that Allaah has a rival, will enter Hell.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

🍃 And he ﷺ said:

“By the One in Whose hand is my soul, no one of this nation, Jew or Christian, hears of me then dies without having believed in that with which I was sent, but he will be one of the people of the Fire.” 

(Muslim 153)

🔺 Why are we forbidden to make duaa for their forgiveness?

That’s because they had the chance while they were alive, to believe in One Allaah Alone and worship only Him and not associate partners with Him. 

But they didn’t want to do that, although Allaah gave them plenty of chances and reasons to do so. 

🍃Shaikh Sa’di explains:

“That seeking forgiveness for them in this case (i.e., when it is clear that they are dwellers of the Fire) is a mistake and is of no use, so it is not befitting for the Prophet and the believers to do this, because if they (the mushrikeen) have died in shirk or it is known that they will die in shirk, then the word of punishment has been fulfilled against them and they will abide forever in Hell, and the intercession of those who intercede and the prayers of forgiveness of those who pray will be to no avail. 

Moreover, the Prophet ﷺ and those who believe with him are obliged to like that which pleases their Lord and hate that which angers Him; they have to take as friends those whom Allaah takes as friends and regard as enemies those whom Allaah regards as enemies, so praying for forgiveness for those who are clearly dwellers of the Fire goes against that and contradicts it.” 

🔺 FACT:

The reality is that if someone died as a nonMuslim, he or she is NOT in peace AT ALL.

Subhaan Allaah.

Actually it’s quite the opposite as Allaah says in His Book.

🍃 Allaah says:

“Verily, those who disbelieve, and hinder (men) from the Path of Allaah (i.e. Islaam); then die while they are disbelievers, Allaah will not forgive them.”

(Surah Muhammad:34)

🍃 And Allaah says:

“Verily, those who disbelieved, and died while they were disbelievers, the (whole) earth full of gold will not be accepted from anyone of them even if they offered it as a ransom. For them is a painful torment and they will have no helpers.”

(Surah Aale Imraan: 91)

And many other Aayaat.

🔺 So what should we say?

Whenever ANY person dies, irrespective of whether they are Muslim or non Muslim, it is permissible for us to say:

‎انا لله وانا اليه راجعون

That’s because this is a statement of FACT.

It is simply stating that we ALL came from Allaah and we’re all going back to Him, sooner or later.

It doesn’t matter if the deceased was a Muslim or not.

Thus this statement is a reminder for “us”, of our beginning and our end.

🔺Can we make duaa for non Muslims at all?

Yes we can.

Although we cannot say “Rest In Peace” or any other Duaa for them after their death, we CAN make duaa for them while they’re still ALIVE.

And it is especially good to make duaa for their guidance.

That’s the BEST thing you can do for anyone.

🍃 Shaikh Ibn Baaz said:

“To sum up, when hearing the news of the death of a non Muslim, there is nothing wrong with saying:

‎انا لله وانا اليه راجعون

(Truly! To Allaah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return)

Also, there is no problem if one offers you condolence when one of your non-Muslim relatives dies by saying: "May Allaah give you patience because of this affliction" or "May Allaah provide you with great consolation."

It might be that the deceased was of benefit to you or was good to you and helped you; therefore, this is permissible.

However, it is not permissible to make Duaa, Istighfaar (seeking forgiveness from Allaah), or give Sadaqah (voluntary charity) on behalf of a deceased non Muslim.”

(Fataawaa Nur Ala Al-Darb)

And Allaah knows best.