Fatwa by: Former Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him)
Question:
What is the ruling on a person who dies without having performed Salah, even though they knew their ancestors were Muslim? What should be done regarding their washing, shrouding, burial, funeral prayer, and making du'a for them?
Answer:
According to Islamic law, if a person who was legally responsible (mukallaf) and aware of Islamic rulings dies while having abandoned Salah (prayer), such a person is considered a kafir (disbeliever). Therefore:
"Between a man and disbelief and shirk (polytheism) is the abandonment of Salah."
[Sahih Muslim]
Additionally, in a hadith narrated by Buraidah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, as reported by Imam Ahmad and the authors of the Sunan with an authentic chain:
"The covenant that differentiates us from them (non-Muslims) is Salah. Whoever abandons it has committed disbelief."
[Sunan al-Tirmidhi, No. 2623; Sunan al-Nasa'i, Sunan Ibn Majah, No. 1079; Musnad Ahmad 5/346; Mustadrak al-Hakim 1/7; Sunan al-Darimi; Al-Sunan al-Kubra by al-Bayhaqi 3/366; Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 11/34; Sahih Ibn Hibban, No. 1454]
The esteemed Tabi'i (successor to the Companions) Abdullah bin Shaqiq al-'Aqeeli (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
"The Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not consider the abandonment of any act as disbelief except for Salah."
There are numerous hadiths and reports conveying this meaning. This ruling applies to someone who abandons prayer out of laziness or negligence. However, if someone denies the obligation of Salah, then, according to all scholars, such a person is a kafir and an apostate (murtad).
We ask Allah, the Almighty, to guide all Muslims and set their affairs right, and to keep them on the straight path. He is All-Hearing and Responsive.
Question:
What is the ruling on a person who dies without having performed Salah, even though they knew their ancestors were Muslim? What should be done regarding their washing, shrouding, burial, funeral prayer, and making du'a for them?
Answer:
According to Islamic law, if a person who was legally responsible (mukallaf) and aware of Islamic rulings dies while having abandoned Salah (prayer), such a person is considered a kafir (disbeliever). Therefore:
- They should not be washed for burial.
- They should not be given a funeral prayer (Salat al-Janazah).
- They should not be buried in a Muslim cemetery.
- Their Muslim relatives cannot inherit from them, and according to a correct opinion from scholars, their wealth does not become the property of Muslims.
"Between a man and disbelief and shirk (polytheism) is the abandonment of Salah."
[Sahih Muslim]
Additionally, in a hadith narrated by Buraidah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, as reported by Imam Ahmad and the authors of the Sunan with an authentic chain:
"The covenant that differentiates us from them (non-Muslims) is Salah. Whoever abandons it has committed disbelief."
[Sunan al-Tirmidhi, No. 2623; Sunan al-Nasa'i, Sunan Ibn Majah, No. 1079; Musnad Ahmad 5/346; Mustadrak al-Hakim 1/7; Sunan al-Darimi; Al-Sunan al-Kubra by al-Bayhaqi 3/366; Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 11/34; Sahih Ibn Hibban, No. 1454]
The esteemed Tabi'i (successor to the Companions) Abdullah bin Shaqiq al-'Aqeeli (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
"The Companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not consider the abandonment of any act as disbelief except for Salah."
There are numerous hadiths and reports conveying this meaning. This ruling applies to someone who abandons prayer out of laziness or negligence. However, if someone denies the obligation of Salah, then, according to all scholars, such a person is a kafir and an apostate (murtad).
We ask Allah, the Almighty, to guide all Muslims and set their affairs right, and to keep them on the straight path. He is All-Hearing and Responsive.