Fatwa #377116 March 2002Australia
If attending the funeral of a non-Muslim is Haram, then what do you have to say about the following Hadith?
Question
It?s reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, stood with respect at a funeral procession, and upon being told that it was for a Jew, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, replied: ?Isn?t he a human being??(Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim).
Answer
The incident was not at a funeral procession.
If it was at a funeral procession, then there was no need for such a
question as it would be a known fact that it is a funeral of a Jew. In fact,
it is far fetched to think that the Sahaabi (Radhiallaahu Anhu) who had a
doubt on the mere standing of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) upon
seeing the Janaaza, would have been at the funeral.
and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
If it was at a funeral procession, then there was no need for such a
question as it would be a known fact that it is a funeral of a Jew. In fact,
it is far fetched to think that the Sahaabi (Radhiallaahu Anhu) who had a
doubt on the mere standing of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) upon
seeing the Janaaza, would have been at the funeral.
and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai