Topics: Janāzah

Funeral Prayer (Janazah) for Muslims: Guidelines for Those Who Pray and Those Who Don’t

Should Janazah Be Performed for Muslims Who Don’t Pray?

Question: A person who never prays, i.e., has never prayed at all, and another person who prays sometimes and sometimes does not—should their funeral prayer (Janazah) be performed or not?

Answer: A person who prays occasionally clearly believes in and acknowledges prayer, and by performing it sometimes, they show evidence of their Muslim identity. Such a person is considered within Islam, and if they pass away, their funeral prayer will be performed, and they will be buried in a Muslim cemetery.

As for the person who has never prayed, such a person is, in fact, considered outside of Islam because the distinguishing factor between Islam and disbelief is the prayer itself. This is why a person who never prays will be subjected to the punishment of Hell by Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.

A significant issue arises here: If a person is born into a Muslim family but has never prayed, what should be done when they pass away, provided they did not reject Allah, His Messenger, or the religion?

Shariah is very clear on this matter: the funeral prayer for such a person will not be performed, nor will they be buried in a Muslim cemetery. However, there are many individuals who, though they do not regularly pray, still recite the Kalimah (Islamic declaration of faith) and consider themselves Muslims. If these people are not buried in Muslim cemeteries, it could create concern within the Muslim community and open the door to mockery and scorn from non-Muslims. Consequently, some may stop even reciting the Kalimah and either join other religions or become atheists.

Therefore, considering the circumstances and needs, if a person is born into a Muslim family and acknowledges the Kalimah, they should be buried in a Muslim cemetery. However, pious and righteous individuals should refrain from attending their funeral to serve as a lesson and reminder for others.

Respondent: Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi Hafizahullah 

Jeddah Dawah Center, Saudi Arabia  

Interpreter: Hasan Fuzail

Author: IslamicHelper

Tags: Janāzah
IslamicHelper

Recent Articles

The Crisis of Delayed Marriage in Society

In an era of profound social change, the age of marriage is steadily rising, creating silent fractures in our communities.… Read More

5 days ago

Buffalo Sacrifice: Salaf View vs. Ijma Claims

Explore the early Islamic view (Salaf) on buffalo sacrifice. This analysis refutes claims of scholarly consensus (Ijma'), showing how Zakat… Read More

5 days ago

Intimacy in Islam: Guide for Couples in Their 30s

Explore how Islamic teachings can deepen intimacy in your marriage as you enter your thirties. Discover practical tips, Sunnah practices,… Read More

1 week ago

Free Sahih Bukhari PDF Download: English, Urdu & More

Access the authentic teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) with our free Sahih Bukhari PDF downloads. Available in English, Urdu, French,… Read More

3 weeks ago

Hajj in Quran and Sunnah: A Comprehensive Guide with Key References

Discover the profound significance of Hajj, a pillar of Islam, through a comprehensive analysis of its primary references in the… Read More

1 month ago

Beware: Shaytan’s Seven Traps to Misguide You

Discover the seven cunning traps Shaytan uses to lead believers astray, as explained by Imam Ibn al-Qayyim. Learn how to… Read More

1 month ago