Shari‘ah Ruling on Performing Salat al-Janazah for One Who Abandoned Salah – Detailed Explanation
Taken from: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām
Question
Is it permissible to perform Salat al-Janazah for a person who abandoned Salah?
If the deceased was someone who did not perform Salah, or there is doubt about whether they used to pray, or their condition is unknown, can Salat al-Janazah be offered for them? And are the heirs allowed to arrange for Salat al-Janazah in such a case?
Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, wa-ṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd:
① A Person Known to Have Abandoned Salah
◈ If it is known for certain that the deceased used to abandon Salah and did not perform it at all:
- Performing Salat al-Janazah for such a person is not permissible.
- Even the family of the deceased is not allowed to present the body before Muslims for Salat al-Janazah.
Reason:
- Such a person is considered a kāfir (disbeliever).
- They are regarded as having apostatized from Islam.
- They do not deserve any respect or honor in burial rites.
② Burial Method for Such a Person
- They should be buried in a pit away from the Muslim graveyard.
- Salat al-Janazah must not be performed for them at all.
- No gestures of respect or honor should be shown.
Evidence:
- On the Day of Judgment, such a person will be resurrected alongside major disbelievers such as Pharaoh, Hāmān, Qārūn, and Ubayy ibn Khalaf.
③ A Person Whose Condition is Unknown or Doubtful
◈ If the deceased is a Muslim whose state of Salah is unknown, or there is doubt regarding their practice:
- Salat al-Janazah should be performed.
- By default, the person will be considered a Muslim until proven otherwise with certainty.
④ Making a Conditional (Exception-Based) Du‘ā’
- If there is doubt about the deceased’s faith, it is permissible to make du‘ā’ in an exceptional/conditional form.
- For example:
“O Allah! If he was a believer, then forgive him and have mercy upon him.”
⑤ Proof for Conditional Du‘ā’
From the Qur’an – the case of Li‘ān:
- Allah says regarding the man in the case of Li‘ān:
﴿أَنَّ لَعنَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيهِ إِن كانَ مِنَ الكـذِبينَ ﴾
“Let the curse of Allah be upon him if he is of the liars.”
(Sūrah al-Nūr, 24:7) - And regarding the woman:
﴿أَنَّ غَضَبَ اللَّهِ عَلَيها إِن كانَ مِنَ الصّـدِقينَ ﴾
“Let the anger of Allah be upon her if he is of the truthful.”
(Sūrah al-Nūr, 24:9)
