PRAYING FOR THE SINFUL

PRAYING FOR THE SINFUL

Sinful Muslims

As stated earlier, the janazah prayer must be offered even for a faajir (a corrupt person or sinner who had indulged in disobedience and transgression), such as one who did not pray [regularly*], did not pay zakah, was an alcohol addict, used to commit zinaa, and so on. However, those who are respected for their knowledge and piety in the community should attempt not to attend, as a form of punishment and reprimand for people like him. This was the practice of the Prophet (sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam), as in the hadith of Zayd Bin Khalid (in the beginning of this chapter) regarding the man who stole from the booty.

Also, Abu Qatadah (radiyAllahu 'anhu) reported that when Allah's Messenger (sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam) was invited to pray janazah he would inquire about the deceased. If he is praised as having been good, he (sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam) would stand and pray for him. But is he is described as having been otherwise, he (sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam) would tell his family, "You take care of him." And he (sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam) would not pray for him.

And Jabir Bin Samurah (radiyAllahu 'anhu) reported that a man fell ill, and his family wailed over him. His neighbor came to Allah's Messenger (sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam) and told him that he died. The Prophet (sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam) asked him "How did you know?" The man replied, "I saw him." He (sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "He did not die." So he went back and heard the wailing again. His wife said, "Go to Allah's Messenger and tell him (about the wailing)." The man said, "May Allah curse him." Then he went to his neigbor's house and found that he had cut his throat with a knife. He went to the Prophet (sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam) and told him that he died. He (sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam) again asked him, "How did you know?" He replied, "I saw him cutting his throat with a blade that he had with him." He (sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam) asked "You saw him do that?" He said, "Yes." The Prophet (sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "Then I will not pray janazah for him." (Recorded by Muslim, Abu Dawud and others)

At-Tirmithi said:

This is a good hadith. The people of knowledge have differed about this; some of them say that the Muslims should pray for everyone who faces the Qiblah in prayer, and for the one who commits suicide. This is the opinion of Sufyan at-Thawri and Ishaq. Ahmad said, 'The imam should not pray for the one who commits suicide, but other people than the imam should.'" (Sunan ut-Tirmithi)

Ibn Taymiyyah said:

"If someone refuses to pray janazah for one of those (a killer, robber, and one deep in debt), as a warning for those like him from doing similar acts - this is good. And if one refused to do that in public, but makes supplication for him in secret, thereby fulfilling both interests - this is even better." (Al-Iktiyarat p. 52)

       *word inserted by Muttaqun OnLine, as those who completly abandon salat are not Muslim, and if reliable witnesses establish before the Ameer (leader) that the person had undoubtedly abandoned salat altogether, the person would not be considered Muslim and would not, of course, receive a Muslim funeral. Establishing this is harder (requires a very high burden of proof) once the person is dead, as the dead person cannot defend themself.

• Hadith - Related by Ahmad, Dawud, at-Tirmidhi, anNasa'i and Ibn Majah
  Buraidah reported that the Prophet  said, "The pact between us and them is prayer. Whoever abandons it is a disbeliever."