Ruling on Seeking Forgiveness for One Who Died upon Shirk – 3 Evidences from Qur’an and Hadith
Derived from: Fatawa Arkan-e-Islam
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
My grandfather lived according to Barelvi beliefs and was involved in grave worship and other acts considered shirk and bid‘ah. He has now passed away. Is it permissible for me to make duʿāʾ for his forgiveness?
In Islam, Tawḥīd (monotheism) is the foundational condition for the acceptance of deeds. Whoever associates partners with Allah (commits shirk) has his deeds nullified, and if he dies without repenting, he is destined for Hellfire. Hence, duʿāʾ for forgiveness for such a person after death is not permissible.
"It is not for the Prophet or those who believe to seek forgiveness for the polytheists—even if they are close relatives—after it has become clear to them that they are people of Hellfire."
(سورة التوبة: 113)
Explanation:
The above verse was revealed regarding the incident of Abū Ṭālib, the uncle of the Prophet ﷺ:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“I will seek forgiveness for you until I am forbidden.”
Then, Surah al-Tawbah (9:113) was revealed, prohibiting duʿāʾ for forgiveness for mushrikīn.
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1360)
"Indeed, Allah does not forgive that partners be associated with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills."
(سورة النساء: 48)
✔ The one who dies upon shirk — without repenting and without affirming tawḥīd —
✘ It is not permissible to make duʿāʾ of forgiveness for him.
✔ Doing so would be against the Qur’anic ruling and contrary to the Sunnah.
وبالله التوفيق
Derived from: Fatawa Arkan-e-Islam
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
❖ Question:
My grandfather lived according to Barelvi beliefs and was involved in grave worship and other acts considered shirk and bid‘ah. He has now passed away. Is it permissible for me to make duʿāʾ for his forgiveness?
Answer:
In Islam, Tawḥīd (monotheism) is the foundational condition for the acceptance of deeds. Whoever associates partners with Allah (commits shirk) has his deeds nullified, and if he dies without repenting, he is destined for Hellfire. Hence, duʿāʾ for forgiveness for such a person after death is not permissible.
✦ Evidence ①: Clear Prohibition from the Qur’an
"It is not for the Prophet or those who believe to seek forgiveness for the polytheists—even if they are close relatives—after it has become clear to them that they are people of Hellfire."
(سورة التوبة: 113)
Explanation:
- Allah forbade the Prophet ﷺ and the believers from seeking forgiveness for mushrikīn, even if they are close family.
- Once it is known that a person died upon shirk, duʿāʾ for forgiveness becomes impermissible.
✦ Evidence ②: Explanation from Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī
The above verse was revealed regarding the incident of Abū Ṭālib, the uncle of the Prophet ﷺ:
- When Abū Ṭālib was on his deathbed, the Prophet ﷺ urged him to say:
“Say: Lā ilāha illā Allāh — a statement by which I will intercede for you before Allah.”
- But Abū Jahl and others stopped him, saying:
“Will you leave the religion of ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib?”
- Abū Ṭālib died upon shirk.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“I will seek forgiveness for you until I am forbidden.”
Then, Surah al-Tawbah (9:113) was revealed, prohibiting duʿāʾ for forgiveness for mushrikīn.
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1360)
✦ Evidence ③: Universally Accepted Aqīdah of Tawḥīd
- Dying upon shirk is the worst spiritual state, for which no intercession or forgiveness is granted unless preceded by repentance in life.
- The Qur’an declares:
"Indeed, Allah does not forgive that partners be associated with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills."
(سورة النساء: 48)
✿ Conclusion:
✔ The one who dies upon shirk — without repenting and without affirming tawḥīd —
✘ It is not permissible to make duʿāʾ of forgiveness for him.
✔ Doing so would be against the Qur’anic ruling and contrary to the Sunnah.
وبالله التوفيق
