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Can he pray for his parents when he does not know what religion they were following when they died?

09-03-2009

Question 21563

If a person left his parents as kaafirs, and he does not know whether they became Muslim or not, is it permissible for him to pray for them?

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah was asked this question and he replied: 

Since he comes from a kaafir nation, it is not permissible for him to pray for his parents, unless they had become Muslim, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“It is not (proper) for the Prophet and those who believe to ask Allaah’s forgiveness for the Mushrikoon, even though they be of kin, after it has become clear to them that they are the dwellers of the Fire (because they died in a state of disbelief).”

[al-Tawbah 9:113]

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