Islam permits Muslims to
attend non-Muslim
funerals, says ex-religious
minister
Zulkifli Al-Bakri says Muslims are also allowed to wash, shroud and bury the bodies of non-Muslims if necessary.
Zulkifli, however, said Muslims are advised to refrain from engaging in religious rituals during the ceremony.
He quoted prominent scholars, including Imam al-Nawawi and Imam al-Shafi’i, who stated that it is permissible for Muslims to attend the funeral processions of non-Muslim relatives.
Muslims are also allowed to wash, shroud and bury the bodies of non-Muslims if necessary, he said.
“Attending the funeral of a non-Muslim and participating in religious rituals of other faiths are two separate issues.
“Don’t be surprised that many Muslims are still not sure about what is appropriate and inappropriate to do in non-Muslim religious events, whether weddings, celebrations or funerals.
“That is why continuous education is important,” he said in a post on X.
Last week, religious affairs minister Na’im Mokhtar said the Islamic development department was working on new guidelines for Muslims attending events at non-Muslim places of worship.
Under the proposed guidelines, organisers would need to obtain the permission of the relevant authorities, as well as the “views” of Islamic authorities, if their event were to involve Muslims.
Concerned parties, including religious groups and MPs, said such guidelines could exacerbate religious divisions in the country.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the controversial guidelines were unnecessary and would only cause anxiety.
He also said he would present the Cabinet’s deliberations on the matter to Sultan Nazrin Shah of Perak, who chairs the national council of Islamic religious affairs.
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