Participating in a Non-Muslim's Funeral

Q: Janaa'iz-102: when a non-Muslim boy passed away in our village, a Muslim attended the funeral and even carried the dead child. What is the ruling concerning this?

Answer: The Shari'ah permits associating with non-Muslims and sharing their sorrows if there is a need to do so. On the grounds of humanitarianism and civility, it is also permissible to assist them when need be, especially when one is a neighbour. The intention should however be good and never to regard them as superior. A Muslim may however not participate in their customs.

It is therefore permissible to visit an ailing Kaafir or to offer one's condolences when he loses someone. One may however not carry their deceased or participate in any of their funeral customs. If the person in the question did so to save face, he should sincerely repent to Allaah, make his repentance apparent to the people and never repeat himself. His Imaan and marriage are still intact and need not be doubted.

The following question appears in Imdaadul Fataawaa: Is it permissible for one to participate in the funeral of a Shia either for some worldly objective or because the family of the deceased attend funerals in one's family.

The reply reads: While this is prohibited in itself, it will be permissible when there is some necessity to do so. Such a necessary is either to avert some harm or to gain some benefit And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.3