Question:
Sister Haram Yusuf Muhammad Yusuf from Sudan also asks: If a Muslim goes outside the boundaries of Islamic Law (Sharia), should Muslims offer the funeral prayer for them upon their death or not?
Answer:
This varies. If his departure from the boundaries entails Kufr (disbelief), then he has become an apostate and the funeral prayer is not offered for him.
However, if his departure is due to a sin—such as committing adultery while not believing it to be permissible, or drinking alcohol while not believing it to be permissible, or any other sin he does not deem lawful—then the funeral prayer is offered for him, and prayers are made for his forgiveness and mercy, because he is a sinner [but still a Muslim].
But if his sin entails Riddah (apostasy) that removes him from Islam, then the funeral prayer is not offered for him. Examples include:
- Leaving the prayer (Salah)—we seek refuge in Allah—while denying that it is obligatory.
- Deeming adultery lawful (regarding it as Halal).
- Insulting the religion, insulting the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), or mocking the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
Whoever dies in such a state is not prayed over, because this constitutes apostasy from Islam. We ask Allah for safety.