Is It Allowed to Make Duaa to Non-Muslim Dead Parents?

11 December, 2019
Q Dear scholar, I converted to Islam recently. My parents passed away two years ago. Can I make duaa to my non-Muslim dead parents?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. 

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.


In this fatwa:

Making duaa for non-Muslim dead parents has no avail and is even prohibited by explicit Quranic injunctions.


Answering your question about making duaa to non-Muslim dead parents, Dr. Muhammad Salama, PhD, Islamic Studies in English, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Islamic Sciences al-Madinah International University (Mediu), states:

Making duaa for non-Muslim dead parent has no avail and is even prohibited by explicit Quranic injunctions.

In Surat At-Tawbah we read the following two verses,

{Therefore, do not ever pray over any one of them who dies. Nor stand over the grave of such a one, for they have disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger and died while they were ungodly.} (At-Tawbah 9:84)

{It is not for the Prophet and those who believe to seek forgiveness for the idolaters- even if they are [their] close relatives- after it has become clear to them that they are the Companions of Hellfire.} (At-Tawbah 9:113)

The Quran clearly prohibits praying over and seeking forgiveness for those who die as disbelievers.

Almighty Allah knows best.