Performing Hajj on Behalf of a Mushrik and Asking Allah to Forgive Him
Answered by: The Permanent Committee
Question
A person who never observes fasting nor prays in his life, and he makes offering to Jinn, trees, as though they are idols, and dies on this condition. Is it permissible for his relative to perform Hajj on his behalf, or ask Allah to forgive him?
Answer
He who dies in the condition as described in the question is considered a mushrik, who committed a major shirk. It is not permissible to perform Hajj on his behalf nor ask Allah to forgive him. Allah, the exalted, says:
It is not for the Prophet nor for those who believe that they should seek forgiveness for the idolaters, even though they may be their kinsmen, after it has become clear to them that they are the people of Hell-fire. (At-Tawbah 9:113).
The prophet said in the authentic Hadith:
“I asked my Lord to permit me to visit my mother’s grave, and He permitted me, and I asked His permission to seek forgiveness for her, but He did not permit me.” Muslim no. 976
From the Noble Scholars:
Shaykh `Abdul-`Aziz bin `Abdullah bin Baz
Shaykh Muhammad bin Salih Al-`Uthaimin
Shaykh `Abdullah bin `Abdur-Rahman Al-Jibreen
Along with: The Permanent Committee and the decisions of the Fiqh Council
Collected by Muhammad bin `Abdul-`Aziz al-Musnad