What is the ruling on seeking forgiveness for a mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah) and a kafir (disbeliever)?
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The questioner : What is the ruling on seeking forgiveness for a mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah) or a kafir (disbeliever)?
The Shaykh : It is not permissible for a person to seek forgiveness for a mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah) or a kafir (disbeliever), based on the saying of Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He:[At-Tawbah 9:113] But a question arises in response to this: Did not Ibrahim seek forgiveness for his father? Allah answered this by saying: [At-Tawbah 9:114] And glory be to the One who is capable of all things. Add a little: Glory be to the One who is capable of all things. Ibrahim’s father, what was he? A mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah) who worshipped that which does not hear, does not see, and does not benefit him in any way. And Noah’s son was a kafir (disbeliever) who drowned with the perished, which indicates the perfection of the power of Allah, Mighty and Majestic, and that He brings the disbeliever from the believer and the believer from the disbeliever. Yes.
The questioner : It seems so, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : The important point is that it is not permissible to seek forgiveness for a mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah), no matter how much good he did; it is not permissible. Likewise, it is not permissible for a kafir (disbeliever) who died upon his disbelief. So if a person dies and you know that he did not pray until his last breath, it is not permissible for you to call upon Allah for him with forgiveness, nor with mercy, nor with pleasure, because he died upon disbelief. Yes.
The questioner : And he cites, O Shaykh, the saying of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) to the disbelievers of Quraysh:[Yusuf 12:92] his supplication.
The Shaykh : They were not disbelievers; they all became Muslims. They all became Muslims.
The Shaykh : It is not permissible for a person to seek forgiveness for a mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah) or a kafir (disbeliever), based on the saying of Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He:
It is not for the Prophet and those who have believed to ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even if they were relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are companions of Hellfire.
ما كان للنبي والذين آمنوا أن يستغفروا للمشركين ولو كانوا أولي قربى من بعد ما تبين لهم أنهم أصحاب الجحيمAnd the request of forgiveness of Abraham for his father was only because of a promise he had made to him. But when it became apparent to Abraham that his father was an enemy to Allah, he disassociated himself from him. Indeed was Abraham compassionate and patient.
وما كان استغفار إبراهيم لأبيه إلا عن موعدة وعدها إياه فلما تبين له أنه عدو لله تبرأ منه إن إبراهيم لأواه حليمThe questioner : It seems so, O Shaykh.
The Shaykh : The important point is that it is not permissible to seek forgiveness for a mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah), no matter how much good he did; it is not permissible. Likewise, it is not permissible for a kafir (disbeliever) who died upon his disbelief. So if a person dies and you know that he did not pray until his last breath, it is not permissible for you to call upon Allah for him with forgiveness, nor with mercy, nor with pleasure, because he died upon disbelief. Yes.
The questioner : And he cites, O Shaykh, the saying of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) to the disbelievers of Quraysh:
No blame will there be upon you today
لا تثريب عليكم اليومThe Shaykh : They were not disbelievers; they all became Muslims. They all became Muslims.