Ruling on Funeral Prayer

Q 6: Who are the dead that a Muslim should offer Funeral Prayer for and who should not have the Funeral Prayer performed over them?

A: According to Shar`y (Islamic legal) proofs, the Funeral Prayer has to be offered on all dead Muslims; the righteous and the disobedient alike, as long as such disobedience did not lead to Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship). This is proven by the saying of Allah (Exalted be He): Verily, Allâh forgives not that partners should be set up with Him (in worship), but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He wills Thus, we should hope good for the pious and ask Allah (Exalted be He) to forgive the disobedient Muslims. However, a Muslim should not offer Funeral Prayer on Kafirs (disbelievers), whether Jews, Christians, atheists, or the senile who worship graves and make Du`a' (supplication) to the dead.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.