Praying for Deceased Non-Muslim Parents

بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم

Having family members who have not recognised and submitted to the true religion of Islam is undoubtedly a very difficult trial, one that even some of the Prophets of Allah Ta'ala were tested with.

The great Prophet Nuh (alaihissalam) wanted to save his disbelieving son and Allah Ta'ala advised him thus:

'And Noah called to his Lord and said, "My Lord, indeed my son is of my family; and indeed, Your promise is true; and You are the most just of judges!" He (Allah) said, "O Noah, indeed he is not of your family; indeed, he is [one whose] work was other than righteous, so ask Me not for that about which you have no knowledge. Indeed, I advise you, lest you be among the ignorant." [11: 45-46]

From this, and many other example from the Qur'an and Hadith, we learn that it is not permissible to pray for a person who has died upon disbelief.

“It is not for the Prophet and those who believe to pray for the forgiveness of unbelievers even though they may be near of kin after it has become clear that they are people of the Hellfire.” (Quran, 9: 113)

So how then can we advise our brothers and sisters who are in this situation?

It is important to firstly show gratitude to Allah Ta'ala for guiding us to the Truth for that is the single greatest blessing one can bestowed with, without a doubt it is worth more than any worldly relationship for a person has been gifted recognition of their Ultimate Creator.

"This day I have perfected for you your religion, and have bestowed upon you My bounty in full measure, and have been pleased to assign for you Islam as your religion." [5:3]

This gratitude cannot be dependent upon other things such as the guidance of family members.

Secondly, we must understand that guidance is solely in the power of Allah Ta’ala; no person regardless of how much desire they have to guide or regardless of how close they are to Allah Ta'ala, has the power to grant guidance to people - not even the Prophets of God.

"You cannot give guidance to whomsoever you wish, but Allah gives guidance to whomsoever He wills, and He knows best the ones who are on the right path." [28: 56]

Even the prophets did not have the permission to pray for the forgiveness of non-Muslims after they passed away, rather they had to submit to Allah’s Encompassing Wisdom, Knowledge and Mercy. Whilst they are alive we can, and should, pray for their guidance.

From amongst the Sahabah (radi Allahu ‘anhum) there were those who converted to Islam whilst their family members remained upon disbelief.

Though this pained them dearly, from them we learn valuable lessons about resilience and utmost loyalty to Allah Ta’ala. Rather than overly worrying about the deceased, they placed their entire focus on their own relationship with Allah Ta’ala and their living family members who they had guardianship over, such as their children.

They consigned the matter regarding their deceased family members to Allah Ta’ala who is the Lord of all things, the Most Just, and Most Merciful. Leaving this matter to Allah Ta’ala whilst taking the effort to learn more about Him, will bring peace and contentment to one’s heart in sha Allah.

May Allah Ta'ala grant us all and our loved ones a death upon iman. Āmīn!

Written by: Muftiya Safiyya Umm Muhsin, Darul Ilm Birmingham.

Approved by: Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah