“˹It does not matter˺ whether you ˹O Prophet˺ pray for them to be forgiven or not. Even if you pray for their forgiveness seventy times, Allah will never forgive them. That is because they have lost faith in Allah and His Messenger. And Allah does not guide the rebellious people.” (Qur’an 9:80)
“And do not ever offer ˹funeral˺ prayers for any of their dead, nor stand by their grave ˹at burial˺, for they have lost faith in Allah and His Messenger and died rebellious.” (Qur’an 9: 84)
Some people ask the Muslims, the Ahl Haqq Wal Istiqamah the following:
“Why do you pray over those who are major sinners?” “Why do you ask mercy for those who will be in the hellfire forever?”
They ask this out of ignorance, though some of the detractors of truth ask this as a means to divert the people from the right way.
In the Ibadi school, the janaza prayer is for all muwahids, but we do not specify them (the major sinners) -with the du’a of mercy, rather it is made as a general du’a. “Oh Allah grant the believers mercy” for example.
Therefore if a Muslim died in a state of Islam, as we are commanded to die in such a state than insh’Allah this du’a lands on them. However, if a Muslim died in a state of kufr ni’ama, did not make sincere tawba (repentance) and reform his/her character than the du’a missed them. Allah (swt) knows best!
Because we can only judge by the apparent.
“Surely Allah knows the unseen of the heavens and earth. And Allah is All-Seeing of what you do.” (Qur’an 49:18)
This is an ascription to Allah (swt) alone that no human being can claim for themselves to know the full doings of any other individual.
Abdullah ibn ‘Utbah reported: Umar ibn al-Khattab (r.a) , said,
“Verily, people were judged by revelation in the time of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and the revelation has ceased. We only judge now what is manifested outwardly of your deeds. Whoever shows us good, we will trust him and bring him close. It is not for us to judge anything of his inner secrets. Allah will hold him accountable for his inner secrets. Whoever shows us evil, we will never trust him or believe him even if it is said his intentions are good.”
Source: (Sahih al-Bukhari 2641)
We stay in our lane and judge by what appeared to us and leave the final judgement to Allah (swt).
It is the right of every Muwahid that at least someone pray over them. This is a fard kiffaya a collective obligation. If someone does not do it than the whole of the ummah can be in sin.
Do note that in the death of Uthman Ibn Affan many companions of the Blessed Prophet (saw) did not perform the funeral prayers over him; and yet some did.
Next, even if we did pray for mercy for those who died in a state of kufr ni’ama (which we do not), there are two points to consider.
- On earth there are various levels and degrees that an individual can feel pain
Thus, the slightest mercy would be to not suffer as greatly, though hell indeed is a horrible ending for any. May Allah (swt) guide us and our affairs in this life so that we do not meet this horrible ending.
“The hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire..” (Qur’an 4:145)
2. Our du’a our supplication and the decree of Allah (swt) stands over all even the supplication of the Blessed Messenger (saw).
Let this sobering reminder put the fear of Allah (swt) into all who read it and ponder it.
“˹It does not matter˺ whether you ˹O Prophet˺ pray for them to be forgiven or not. Even if you pray for their forgiveness seventy times, Allah will never forgive them. That is because they have lost faith in Allah and His Messenger. And Allah does not guide the rebellious people.” (Qur’an 9:80)
This is a very sobering verse. The number 70 is often used in sematic languages to indicate innumerable, infinite. Imagine the most beloved of Allah, the Blessed Messenger (saw) supplicating to Allah (swt) for the forgiveness of someone.
Yet, if that person had chosen a path that led to their doom, even the supplication of the Blessed Messenger, the Mercy to the Worlds is null and void!
https://primaquran.com/2019/11/28/shafaa-intercession-according-to-the-quran/
The above article shows our position in regards to the shafaa of the Blessed Messenger (saw).
“Verily, you (O Muhammed) guide not whom you like, but Allah guides whom He wills. And He knows best those who are guided.” (Quran 28:56)
So the Blessed Prophet (saw). Can make all the du’a and supplication for any person he wishes. Yet, if that person goes against what Allah (swt) has decreed and has gone against the Sunnah of the Blessed Messenger (saw) and has not reformed themselves, even if they are a companion than they would meet their doom.
For example and something else that should be a huge eye opener for those who have eyes to see and hearts that are opened think of the follow supplication (du’a) that we say for our parents.
“And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, “My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.” (Qur’an 17:24)
Some may ask, ‘Why would Allah (swt) permit us to make this du’a if our parents could in the realm of possibilities meet doom?
Allah (swt) does not forbid you from making du’a for your parents, yet this does not guarantee them paradise.
Another example is this. Allah (swt) doesn’t stop the Blessed Messenger (saw) from warning the disbelievers, Allah (swt) simply reminds us that it is an exercise in futility.
“And it is all the same for them whether you warn them or do not warn them – they will not believe.” (Qur’an 36:10)
Making funeral prayers for those who died in a state of major sin (that is apparent).
But one thing that is apparent if someone died while in a state of kufr ni’ama (for example suicide bombing /correctly known as “homicide bombing”, especially where innocent children and civilians have died) there is no doubt that person died the death of a kafir.
In this regards our school is the school of no compromise and zero tolerance for those who unjustly take their own life and the lives of others.
Where as other Muslims may encourage such acts and/or have various views such as:
- They died martyrs. They are guaranteed heaven.
- They are at the very least brave people.
- They may go to hell for awhile, but will eventually go to heaven.
May we be guided to what is beloved to Allah (swt).
You may also be interested in the following:
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