What is the ruling on visiting a Christian when he is sick, and on following his funeral?
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The questioner : I am asking about the ruling on visiting a Christian when he is sick, and on following his funeral.
The Shaykh : Visiting a Christian or any other disbeliever when he is sick is, in reality, called a sick visit, not a visit, because a sick person is visited repeatedly. If there is a benefit in it, such as calling him to Islam, then that is better, and a person is asked to visit him.
If there is no benefit in it, but there is a reason that necessitates it, such as him being a relative or a neighbor or something similar, then there is nothing wrong with it. Otherwise, the better course is to leave off visiting him.
As for following his funeral, if it contains something forbidden, such as the ringing of bells, lighting fires, or crosses, then it is not permissible. If it does not contain anything forbidden, then one looks at the benefit in it. And Allah knows best.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : Visiting a Christian or any other disbeliever when he is sick is, in reality, called a sick visit, not a visit, because a sick person is visited repeatedly. If there is a benefit in it, such as calling him to Islam, then that is better, and a person is asked to visit him.
If there is no benefit in it, but there is a reason that necessitates it, such as him being a relative or a neighbor or something similar, then there is nothing wrong with it. Otherwise, the better course is to leave off visiting him.
As for following his funeral, if it contains something forbidden, such as the ringing of bells, lighting fires, or crosses, then it is not permissible. If it does not contain anything forbidden, then one looks at the benefit in it. And Allah knows best.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.