Muslims’ attitude towards non-Muslims.

  • Thread starter Thread starter wilberhum
  • Start date Start date
  • Replies Replies 73
  • Views Views 11K
wilberhum

wilberhum

Account Disabled
Messages
4,348
Reaction score
339
Some one posted this link on another thread.
would like to know what the Muslim Forum Members think of this.

http://islamqa.com/index.php?ref=13730&ln=eng&txt=Attending churches

Question:
Is it permissible for a Muslim to attend the funeral of a non-Muslim friend if it is in the church, as a sign of respect for the deceased?.

Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
It is not permissible for the Muslim to attend the funeral of a kaafir or to enter their churches, even if that is a sign of respect etc, because attending the funeral is a way of showing love and respect, and it is not permissible to show that towards a kaafir, according to the correct view.
Moreover the questioner says, “to attend the funeral of a non-Muslim friend” – but it is not permissible for a Muslim to take a kaafir as a friend, because Allaah has commanded us to regard them as enemies, to shun them and to keep away from them. This does not mean that we should not deal with them or buy and sell or form business partnerships with them. That is one thing, and taking them as friends is another thing. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“You (O Muhammad) will not find any people who believe in Allaah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allaah and His Messenger (Muhammad), even though they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred (people). For such He has written Faith in their hearts, and strengthened them with Rooh (proofs, light and true guidance) from Himself. And He will admit them to Gardens (Paradise) under which rivers flow, to dwell therein (forever). Allaah is pleased with them, and they with Him. They are the party of Allaah. Verily, it is the party of Allaah that will be the successful”
[al-Mujaadilah 58:22]
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not initiate the greeting of salaam with the Jews and Christians, and when you meet them in the street, force them towards the narrowest part of it.” Narrated by Imam Muslim in his Saheeh, 2167 from the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah.


Shaykh Sulaymaan ib nNaasir al-‘Alwaan
Click to expand...
I am most interested in:
1) because attending the funeral is a way of showing love and respect, and it is not permissible to show that towards a kaafir
2) it is not permissible for a Muslim to take a kaafir as a friend, because Allaah has commanded us to regard them as enemies, to shun them and to keep away from them.

Thanks in advance for your response.
 
I can only say that we are each responsible for our decisions and who we choose to follow as teachers.

With all respect to the Shaykh I believe there is some confusion in his manner of understanding friendship and respect. I am not certain of the authenticity of the Hadiths he seems to be basing his views on.


I have read quite different views from other shaykhs. I know we can not pick and choose based upon our feelings, but we do have a duty to search for the truth when there seems to be conflicting views from other Scholars and Shaykhs.
 
I would have to disagree with this article/ruling. I am the only Muslim in my family and my wife is the only one in hers. I attended the funeral of both of my Christian parents in Baptist churches and, Insha'Allah, I will attend the funeral of other close kin as well. Yes, I loved and respected my parents and I would not be denied paying my last repects to them.

However, the authority for my religion before Allah (swt) is the Quran and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (saaws). If someone can quote an ayat or an authentic hadith that directly supports the position of the article then I will reconsider my position.
 
Here is another viewpoint that does seem to be well backed up with the Qur'an and authentic hadith:

Imam Mohamad Joban responds:

Once, when the Prophet Muhammed, peace be upon him, was sitting with his companions, he saw a large group of people carrying a dead body. He (the Prophet, PBUH) stood up out of respect.

When his companions told the Prophet (PBUH) that the dead body was not that of a Muslim, the Prophet (PBUH) replied, “Isn't he a human being, too?”

Humans are Blessed with Respect and Dignity
Allah tells us in the Qur’an [17:70]: “We have honored the sons of Adam; provided them with transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance things good and pure; and conferred on them special favors, above a great part of our creation.”

Attending the Funerals of non-Muslims is a Form of Piety
Attending the funerals of non-Muslims, especially the funerals of one’s parents, grandparents, and other family members is not haram (prohibited). Rather, it is a form of dawah (spreading Islam) and participation in bir (piety or righteousness), by showing sympathy for the family of the deceased.

Dealing Kindly with non-Muslims is Required in Islam
Allah tells us [Qur’an, 60:8]: “Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loves those who are just.”

Attend Funerals – But Don’t Participate in Religious Ceremonies
Therefore, you can attend the funerals of your non-Muslim relatives. Whether they were atheists, Jews or Christians does not matter, so long as you are able to abstain from participating in any religious ceremonies related to the funeral. For example, when the pastor makes dua (supplications), you should keep silent or step aside.
Click to expand...

Source: http://www.ourrisingstar.org/article.php?aid=265&t=A
 
Greetings,

Why is it that people like the Shaykh quoted by wilberhum seem to be allowed to promote enmity and bad feeling between humans in the name of Islam?

It's something that can only cause harm, and should be not only disagreed with, but condemned utterly.

Peace
 
:sl:
I usually disagree with islamqa's answers - my local Imam is much better.

From my knowledge, I cannot comment on point 1 of Wilber's
But, point 2) it is not permissible for a Muslim to take a kaafir as a friend, because Allaah has commanded us to regard them as enemies, to shun them and to keep away from them.

This is incorrect. The ayat the sheik has indirectly refered to actually means protector or wali - not friend. So we are, as muslims, allowed to have non-muslims as friends.

I learnt that off the actual load-islam site. It's freakin awesome and highly recommended.....by me. :D
 
:sl:

Another perfect example of why I do not go to this q-a website for knowledge. I have non-Muslim friends (I am careful about choosing my friends and would not associate with anyone, Muslim or non-Muslim, who had a negative effect on my faith); I have attended a non-Muslim funeral; I am also not averse to entering churches, though not for the purposes of worship.

Any Muslim looking for guidance on a particular issue will find one or two (or more) different opinions. It is up to the individual to evaluate the evidence provided, and decide which opinion is correct, bearing in mind that as Muslims we have been instructed by the prophet pbuh to avoid extremism and harshness.

:w:
 
rubiesand said:
Islam-qa is a Salafee site. The majority of Muslims are not Salafee and therefore their fatwas are not binding on us. No offence meant to our Salafee board members!
Click to expand...

Oh no! I thought Islamqa.com was a good site to look stuff up. Apparently I was wrong. What is a Salafee site? What is a good q&a site to look things up that are the more generally accepted?
 
I would never lower my Mom and disrespect her funeral because thats the least i can get. The love of the funeral is a blessing for me to take my few minutes out for my Mom, it would be such a sad affect on me if i had to believe in this article then again i don't belive in it as it won't be a good thing for me.
 
dude20k said:
A question to all of the Muslim converts. When you were about to convert, did the bigotry ever concern you? Do you think Muslims are bigots?
Click to expand...

hey listen, (some) Christians are bigots, (some) Jews are bigots, (some) Hindus are bigots, (some) Muslims are bigots....as a revert I studied the religion of Islam and found beauty and truth, mercy, love, tolerance. The bigotry of some Muslims concerns me, of course. But I have found much more love and sincerity and compassion from Muslims than bigotry. I hope that answers your question.

peace
 
I have nothing against Non-Muslims as i wasn't a Muslim myself until i have reverted to Islam. I wouldn't say i pick myself up down from the drain and then go around saying 'i hate Non-Muslims' thats pathetic. I would rather go back to Christianty than thinking or hating a religion.
 
dude20k said:
So you don't think a Muslim should treat others the way they wouldn't wanna be treated? So you think people posting jokes about people of other religions and then not allowing Muslim jokes on this site are not really Muslims and they are going to hell because their bigotry towards people of other religions?

By the way, if you wanted to see the beauty, you should have tried Sikhism...:)
Click to expand...

Peace.

If a Muslim on this board makes jokes on another religion with the intention of causing disruption then that individual has serious problems and I pray that Allah gives him/her some guidance. As for this person going to hell, only Allah will be the judge of that.

As Muslims we should respect the religion of other people. We may not agree with it but we shouldn't be disrespectful. If we must criticize, then we have to do so in a respectful manner with no slandering and insults.

Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful exhortation; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance. (16:125)

As for my opinion of the original topic, I think the Sheik is being very extreme in his view. As promoters of peace and love we should show respect for our non-muslims friends, dead or alive. We can take non-muslims for friends but not as protectors from our enemies. Allah is my only Protector from evil.

Peace be unto you all.

:w:
 
Woodrow said:
Here is another viewpoint that does seem to be well backed up with the Qur'an and authentic hadith:



Source: http://www.ourrisingstar.org/article.php?aid=265&t=A
Click to expand...

JAZAK ALLAH :thumbs_up

czgibson said:
Greetings,

Why is it that people like the Shaykh quoted by wilberhum seem to be allowed to promote enmity and bad feeling between humans in the name of Islam?

It's something that can only cause harm, and should be not only disagreed with, but condemned utterly.

Peace
Click to expand...

Agreed. Don't want to open Pandora's box here, but the same could be said for cetain cartoonists in Denmark if you know what I am saying.
 
Last edited:
:sl:
dude20k said:
A question to all of the Muslim converts. When you were about to convert, did the bigotry ever concern you? Do you think Muslims are bigots?
Click to expand...

dude20k said:
So you don't think a Muslim should treat others the way they wouldn't wanna be treated? So you think people posting jokes about people of other religions and then not allowing Muslim jokes on this site are not really Muslims and they are going to hell because their bigotry towards people of other religions?

By the way, if you wanted to see the beauty, you should have tried Sikhism...:)
Click to expand...

Thank you so very much for high-jacking this thread, jack-ass. The fact that you haven't introduced yourself indicates to me, you are indeed a troll and so shall be banned. Adios.
 

Similar Threads

Back
Top