Fatwa n° 266

Category: Fatwas about funerals

The ruling concerning offering
one’s condolences to the disbeliever

Question:

Is it permissible to offer one’s condolences to the disbeliever?

Answer:

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. Peace and blessing be upon whom Allah sent as a mercy to the Worlds, upon his Family, his Companions and his Brothers till the Day of Resurrection:

It is permissible to offer one’s condolences to disbelievers according to what is reported from one of the Salaf (Predecessors) who offered his condolences to a Christian by saying to him: “You should fear Allah and be patient”. It is also reported from Al-Haşan that he said: “When you offer your condolences to Adh-Dhimmi (a non-Muslim living under Muslim authority) say: nothing will befall you except what is good”. Ishâq used to say when offering condolences to the polytheist: “May Allah multiply your wealth and offspring(1). This may be specific to Adh-Dhimmî, Al-Mu‘âhid (a non-Muslim who signed a treaty with Muslims to preserve his wealth and blood) and the Musta’man (a non-Muslim to whom Muslims give protection) excluding the warrior. This is included in the general order of doing good to them and treating them justly mentioned in the verse in which Allah عزَّ وجلَّ said:

﴿لاَ يَنْهَاكُمُ اللهُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوكُمْ مِنْ دِيَارِكُمْ أَنْ تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوا إِلَيْهِمْ إِنَّ اللهَ يُحِبُّ المُقْسِطِينَ﴾ [الممتحنة: 8].

The meaning of the verse:

Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion nor drove you out of your homes. Verily, Allah loves those who deal with equity.﴿ [Al-Mumtahana (The Woman to be examined): 8].

The perfect knowledge belongs to Allah عزَّ وجلَّ. Our last prayer is all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. Peace and blessing be upon our Prophet, his Family, his Companions and Brothers till the Day of Resurrection.

 

Algiers, Jumâda Ath-Thâniya 30th, 1426H
Corresponding to August 05th, 2005 G.

 


(1) See: “Ahkâm Ahl Adh-Dhimma” by Ibn Al-Qayyim (1/ 204-205).

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