The Joy at the Death of One Who Harms Muslims

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. He says: Is it permissible for me to be happy, but not with the joy of schadenfreude, when I hear of the death of someone, even if he is a Muslim, who used to harm Muslims, whether by his actions, his words, or his writings?

Answer:
A Muslim does not rejoice at his death, for he is your brother, no matter how much shortcoming he may have. Rather, you seek forgiveness for him and pray for him. As for a disbeliever, if he harms Muslims, then you rejoice at his death. When the news of the killing of Umm Maslamah reached Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), he prostrated in gratitude to Allah (Mighty and Majestic). Therefore, one rejoices at the death of a disbeliever who harms Muslims, because his death is a blessing for the Muslims. As for a Muslim, even if he is shortcoming, one prays for him, seeks forgiveness for him, and asks for mercy for him.