❀ Question:
Is it permissible to supplicate for forgiveness (duʿāʾ-e-maghfirat) for a Kalimah-reciting polytheist? And what is the ruling on going to shrines for the purpose of such supplications?
❖ Answer by:
Shaykh ʿAbd al-Wakeel Nāṣir (حفظه الله)
Shaykh Saʿīd Mujtabā Saʿīdī (حفظه الله)
◈ Ruling on Seeking Forgiveness for a Kalimah-Reciting Polytheist:
The Holy Qur'an provides a clear command that seeking forgiveness for a polytheist is impermissible, even if the person is a close relative.
Allah Almighty says:"مَا كَانَ لِلنَّبِىِّ وَالَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡاۤ اَنۡ يَّسۡتَغۡفِرُوۡا لِلۡمُشۡرِكِيۡنَ وَ لَوۡ كَانُوۡۤا اُولِىۡ قُرۡبٰى مِنۡۢ بَعۡدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمۡ اَنَّهُمۡ اَصۡحٰبُ الۡجَحِيۡمِ"
(Sūrah al-Tawbah: 112)
“It is not fitting for the Prophet and 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 the people of Hellfire.”
◈ Seeking Forgiveness for a Polytheist After Death is Prohibited:
If a person dies upon shirk (polytheism) without having repented, then:
✔ It is not permissible to supplicate for their forgiveness
✔ Performing their funeral prayer (ṣalāt al-janāzah) is prohibited
✔ Offering any form of duʿāʾ at the time of their burial is also impermissible
The clear instruction of the Prophet ﷺ is that one who dies upon shirk must not be prayed for, even in terms of seeking forgiveness.
◈ Visiting Shrines for Supplications of Forgiveness:
Visiting shrines with the intention of supplicating for forgiveness is also unlawful, because:
✔ Such places are often associated with non-sharʿī practices
✔ There is a high risk of shirk or innovation (bidʿah) occurring at these sites
◈ Clarification:
While various interpretations are presented by different people on this issue, the position of the scholars of knowledge (ahl al-ʿilm) is clear and consistent:
Anyone who dies upon shirk, for him seeking forgiveness is prohibited according to Qur'an and Sunnah.
