❖ Question:
A man who outwardly professes the Kalimah (Lā ilāha illa Allāh) but spent his life involved in shirk (polytheism) and bid‘ah (innovation) — and at the time of death, he utters the Kalimah:
➊ Does the ḥadīth of “He who says the Kalimah shall enter Paradise” apply to such a person?
➋ Is it permissible to perform the funeral prayer for a Kalimah-reciting polytheist, if his last words were the Kalimah?
True Faith and the Kalimah at the Time of DeathEvidence from the Prophetic Hadith:
◈ If a person is an outright enemy of Islam — such as a Jew or Christian — and utters the Kalimah of Shahādah sincerely at the final moment, it can indeed benefit him.
◈ However, if a person outwardly professed the Kalimah throughout his life but was internally and practically involved in disbelief, shirk, or deviant sects — such as the Qādiyānīs (Ahmadīs) — then:
✔ Merely uttering the Kalimah at death will not benefit him
✔ Unless he fully renounces his kufr and shirk prior to death
Evidence from the Prophetic Hadith:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"مَن قال لا إله إلا الله وكَفَرَ بما يُعبد من دون الله حَرُمَ مالُه ودمُه وحسابُه على الله"
“Whoever says ‘Lā ilāha illa Allāh’ and disbelieves in all that is worshipped besides Allah, his wealth and blood become inviolable, and his reckoning is with Allah.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 33)
✦ Key Insight:
◈ The phrase “كَفَرَ بما يُعبد من دون الله” (disbelieves in all worshipped besides Allah) is the essential condition alongside uttering the Kalimah.
◈ This highlights that simply saying the Kalimah is not sufficient for salvation — it must be coupled with active disavowal of shirk.
Recommendation for Further Study:
For in-depth understanding, readers are advised to study the relevant chapters and commentaries in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim on this topic. Conclusion:
➊ Merely reciting the Kalimah at the time of death is not a guarantee of Paradise if the heart remains polluted with shirk, kufr, or innovation.
➋ True belief, sincerity, and clear renunciation of shirk and false ideologies are essential for the Kalimah to be of benefit.
➌ Funeral prayer is prescribed only for those who are true adherents of Islam, not for those who are merely Kalimah-reciting yet persist in shirk or bid‘ah.
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي، وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
