Q: 22 ? Title: When we hear the death message of Muslims, we say, Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji?un. But what should we say on hearing the death news of non-Muslims?

Question: When we hear the death message of Muslims, we say, Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji?un.? But what should we say on hearing the death news of non-Muslims?

Answer: In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatoh

1) Firstly it should be understood that the saying of Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji?un is not confined to uttering upon receiving news of a death. Rather it has been prescribed to be uttered at any occasion wherein one is put into some kind of distress or is afflicted by some calamity.

2) Imaam Muslim has recorded in his kitaab that Ummi Salama rdi. had stated that she heard Rasulullah SAW saying ? No muslim is put into distress then he utters Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji?un allahuma ajirni fi museebatee wa akhlifli khairan minha except that ALLAH recompensates him for the distress he endured.

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3) Imaam al Qurtobi has recorded an incident in his tafseer relating that on one occasion the lantern of Rasulullah SAW went off. Upon this Rasulullah SAW uttered inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji?un. Rasulullah SAW was asked if this was also a affliction or distress, Rasulullah SAW commented that everything that causes a discomfort to a believer will be regarded as a distress or affliction.

4) The fact that many people where stubborn on disbelief and many where passing away on disbelief, used to sadden and cause grief to Rasulullah SAW, upon this ALLAH addressed him saying:

? Those who are hastening in disbelief should not grieve you?

(Surah? Aali Imraan- Surah no. 3? Verse? no. 175)

5) The death of? non muslims should grieve us or cause us distress, but rather than contemplating words of condolences and sympathy we should ponder as to what is the final abode of this non-muslim and how fickle is our imaan. We should rather on the occasion of hearing the death of a non-muslim beseech from ALLAH that he saves us from a similar fate. (Ameen)

And Allah knows best

Wassalam

Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In'aamiyyah

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