Following the funeral of a disbeliever

(Part No. 9; Page No. 11) A: Muslims are not allowed to bury the corpses of disbelievers as long as disbelievers can do so. Muslims are also not permitted to participate or help disbelievers in burying their dead in order to follow political traditions. This was not done by the Prophet (peace be upon him) nor by the rightly guided Caliphs. Allah forbade His Prophet (peace be upon him) to stand at the grave of `Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul, because he was a disbeliever. Allah (Exalted be He) says: And never (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) pray (funeral prayer) for any of them (hypocrites) who dies, nor stand at his grave. Certainly they disbelieved in Allâh and His Messenger, and died while they were Fâsiqûn (rebellious, - disobedient to Allâh and His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم). If there are no disbelievers who can bury their dead, Muslims should do so. This was done by the Prophet (peace be upon him) with regard to the disbelievers who were killed during the battle of Badr. When his uncle Abu Talib died, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to `Aly: "Go and bury him." May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.