Pray for Unbelievers?

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   The other day, a husband of my wife's colleague died. What is the practice Muslims are supposed to follow for an unbeliever who dies? The man was a member of the Chinese Communist Party, so probably an atheist. I've been doing extra rakat and saying prayers for him. But I'd like to hear some advice from others who know more than me. I do recall several places in the Quran where Abraham was told not to pray for his idoloter father. Does that apply here?

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
AiQadr Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 02 May 2010 Status: Offline Points: 14	Post Options Post Reply Quote AiQadr Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Pray for Unbelievers? Posted: 02 May 2010 at 6:31am
	The other day, a husband of my wife's colleague died. What is the practice Muslims are supposed to follow for an unbeliever who dies? The man was a member of the Chinese Communist Party, so probably an atheist. I've been doing extra rakat and saying prayers for him. But I'd like to hear some advice from others who know more than me. I do recall several places in the Quran where Abraham was told not to pray for his idoloter father. Does that apply here?

Hayfa Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Female Joined: 07 June 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2368	Post Options Post Reply Quote Hayfa Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 May 2010 at 11:00am
	Asalaam ALaikum, Do you know he was an athiest? Do you know he rejected God? But yes we are told not to pray
	When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy. Rumi

seekshidayath Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Female Islam Joined: 26 March 2006 Location: India Status: Offline Points: 3357	Post Options Post Reply Quote seekshidayath Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 May 2010 at 11:51pm
	As Salamu Alaikum brother Read this hadith Muslim (976) narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The messenger of Allaah (blessings and peace of Allaah be upon him) said: �I asked my Lord for permission to pray for forgiveness for my mother but He did not give me permission. And I asked Him for permission to visit her grave and He gave me permission.�
	Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: �All the descendants of Adam are sinners, and the best of sinners are those who repent."

martha Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 30 October 2007 Status: Offline Points: 1140	Post Options Post Reply Quote martha Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 May 2010 at 12:52am
	Salam, I find this interesting. For example, we want people to come into Islam then why do we not pray for them to find the truth? And why can we not pray for anyone in any circumstance?
	some of us are a lot like cement:- all mixed up and permanently set

seekshidayath Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Female Islam Joined: 26 March 2006 Location: India Status: Offline Points: 3357	Post Options Post Reply Quote seekshidayath Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 May 2010 at 4:50am
	Walaikum Salaam Martha Indeed we are to make prayers for them very much to show them righteous path. You know Martha, Prophet Muhammad {sallal lahu alayhi wasallam} used to pray for them alot . Even we are to make prayers for their guidance apart from inviting them towards Islam . May Allah swt guide us all. Aameen
	Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: �All the descendants of Adam are sinners, and the best of sinners are those who repent."

Hayfa Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Female Joined: 07 June 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2368	Post Options Post Reply Quote Hayfa Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 May 2010 at 4:51am
	Martha, There is a difference if someone is still alive. We can absolutely pray for people. We should pray that they should find Islam. If they die as someone who rejected Islam then we are not given permission to pray for them. Sort of "they made their bed type" of thing. This, I do not think, includes children or say mentally ill people.. I could be wrong. it can be hard. My parents died 'rejecting' and made their choice. In fact I would say that it is different if they knowingly rejected. My parents knew about Islam, they were highly educated.. My father lived for a couple of years in Pakistan. It was not like he was uneducated and lived in the highlands somewhere where there are no Muslims. Upon my mother's passing a prayed a brief prayer asking for Allah's mercy and let it go. So we can absolutely pray for people when they are alive.
	When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy. Rumi

martha Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 30 October 2007 Status: Offline Points: 1140	Post Options Post Reply Quote martha Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 May 2010 at 5:20am
	Seeks and Hayfa, Thanks for the clarification on this. Detracting slightly from the OP topic perhaps, but what happens to people who have never heard of Islam or the Prophet(pbuh) or the Quran. What provision is made for them after death if any?
	some of us are a lot like cement:- all mixed up and permanently set

seekshidayath Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Female Islam Joined: 26 March 2006 Location: India Status: Offline Points: 3357	Post Options Post Reply Quote seekshidayath Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 May 2010 at 5:49am
	Good question Sis Martha Allah swt is Just. Allah swt says in the Qur'an, " "We will not punish without sending someone to warn you". If the message of Islam does n't reach a person, then it is said that they shall have a special test on the day of Judgement, Based on that they shall be judge. Mostly, Martha, message is reached to almost all the people.
	Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: �All the descendants of Adam are sinners, and the best of sinners are those who repent."