and by other means, even by someone whose shunning him would serve an overriding benefit for him. Thus, the benefits sought by Islamic law are achieved as far as possible. And Allah knows best.

He was asked:

“Should the funeral prayer be offered for a man who prays occasionally but frequently neglects prayer, or who does not pray at all?”

He answered:

Muslims have always offered the funeral prayer for such a person. Indeed, Muslims offer the funeral prayer even for hypocrites who conceal their hypocrisy; their bodies are washed, and the rulings of Islam apply to them, as was the case with the hypocrites during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.

If, however, someone knows that a person is a hypocrite, he may not offer the funeral prayer for him, just as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, forbade offering the funeral prayer for anyone whose hypocrisy was known. As for someone whose condition is uncertain, it is permissible to offer the funeral prayer for him if he outwardly professes Islam. Thus, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, offered the funeral prayer for those for whom he had not been forbidden to pray, and among them were some whose hypocrisy was unknown.

As Allah Most High said:

“Among the Bedouins around you are hypocrites, and among the people of Medina are some hardened in hypocrisy. You do not know them; We know them.”

For such people, it is not permissible to forbid