Fatwa's Insights - Waqf, Mosque dan Funeral Management
The Ruling On Honouring The Deceased Who Is Not A Muslim
THE 73RD MEETING OF THE PERLIS STATE FATWA COMMITTEE / 2025
27–28 APRIL 2025 / 28-29 SYAWAL 1446
THE RULING ON HONOURING THE DECEASED WHO IS NOT A MUSLIM
In its original ruling, the honouring of the deceased — whether Muslim or non-Muslim — is a religious requirement. Accordingly, a Muslim may honour the body of a non-Muslim without performing the religious rituals of another religion.
A Muslim may also attend to pay respects to the body of a non-Muslim where there exists a public interest or a need for doing so, such as in the case of a deceased family member or a community leader. The forms of respect that are permitted to be rendered to the remains of a non-Muslim are those that accord with the customary practices of a given community, without being associated with any religion or any unfounded belief. Accordingly, acts of respect towards the deceased that are in accordance with human custom — such as standing, observing silence in the presence of the remains, or bringing vehicles to a halt, and similar acts — are permissible. However, if such acts of respect are accompanied by specific doctrinal beliefs — such as the belief that the deceased is receiving divine mercy, is rejoicing, or is benefiting from certain acts performed; or the apprehension of malevolent spiritual influence, ill omen, or misfortune — then such acts are prohibited and may compromise one's Islamic creed if accompanied by a belief that affirms or endorses disbelief.
A Muslim who attends a non-Muslim funeral ceremony out of a particular necessity must ensure that he does not participate in any ritual or belief that is not recognised by Islam. He must likewise avoid tashabbuh, that is, the imitation of the religious practices of other faiths while present in that gathering.
The honouring of the deceased — whether Muslim or non-Muslim — is a matter that is safeguarded and upheld by Islamic law.
PRESENCE AND APPROVAL BY:
1. Sahibus Samahah Professor Dato' Arif Perkasa Dr. Mohd Asri bin Zainul Abidin
2. Sahibul Fadhilah Ustaz Tajul Urus bin Abdul Halim
3. Sahibul Fadhilah Professor Dr. Muhamad Rozaimi bin Ramle
4. Sahibul Fadhilah Dr. Hj. Zaharuddin bin Hj. Abdul Rahman
5. Sahibul Fadhilah Professor Dr. Azman bin Mohd Noor
6. Sahibul Fadhilah Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Akram bin Dato' Dahaman @ Dahlan
7. Sahibul Fadhilah Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmad Wifaq bin Mokhtar
8. Sahibul Fadhilah Ustaz Syed Abu Bakar bin Syed Kamal Bharin
9. Sahibul Fadhilah K.H. Dr. Zaitun bin Rasmin
10. Sahibul Fadhilah Ustaz Aidil bin Abdul Rahman
11. Sahibul Fadhilah Ustaz Burhanudin bin Lokman
12. Al-Fadhil Ustaz Muhammad Khidhir bin Abdul Ghani – Secretary
Endorsed at the Meeting of the Council of Islamic Religion and Malay Customs of Perlis No. 4/2025 on 15 July 2025.