toward his polytheist parent in this worldly life; but once the burial is over he may no longer supplicate for him or seek forgiveness, for Allah has declared unequivocally, “It is not for the Prophet or for those who believe to ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even if they be close relatives” (Qur’an 9:113). If that is the ruling, then what of those who, for a few paltry coins, fill the obituary columns of newspapers and magazines with prayers of mercy and forgiveness for certain unbelievers? Let anyone who cares about his Hereafter fear Allah.
-
It is not prescribed to wash the body of a disbeliever, to shroud him, or to perform the funeral prayer over him—even if he is one’s relative—because the Prophet ﷺ did not order ʿAlī to do any of that. Had it been permissible he would have clarified it, for it is a well-established principle that delaying clarification at the time of need is impermissible. This is the position of the Ḥanbalī school and others.
-
Nor is it legislated for the relatives of a polytheist to accompany his funeral procession, for the Prophet ﷺ did not do so for his own uncle, even though he was the most dutiful and compassionate of people toward him. Indeed, he continued to supplicate for him until his punishment was reduced to the lightest punishment in the Fire, as has already been explained in ḥadīth ⦗53⦘. In all of this lies a lesson for those who are deluded by their lineage yet make no preparation for their Hereafter with their Lord. How true is the Almighty’s word: “On that Day no ties of kinship will remain between them, nor will they ask about one another” (Qur’an 23:101).
162 – “No, O daughter of al-Ṣiddīq; rather, they are those who fast, pray, and give in charity while fearing that none of it will be accepted from them. It is they who hasten to perform righteous deeds.”
It was recorded by al-Tirmidhī (2/201), Ibn Jarīr (18/26), al-Ḥākim (2/393–394), al-Baghawī in his Tafsīr (6/25), and Aḥmad (6/159, 205) through the chain of Mālik ibn Mighwal, from ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Saʿīd ibn Wahb al-Hamdanī, from ʿĀʾishah, the wife of the Prophet ﷺ.