Is it permissible to grant the reward of good deeds to a dead person who used to slaughter animals for others than Allah during his life?
Question:
“The questioner says, it is said that my father used to slaughter animals for the sake of people other than Allah. He also says that the absence of scholars who would direct and advise him was responsible for that. Now, he wants to give Sadaqah (voluntary charity) and perform Hajj on his behalf. What is the ruling regarding this?”
Answer:
“If his father was known for righteousness and benevolence, he should not believe the ill words conveyed about him by those whose truthfulness is not known. It is an act of Sunnah to make Du`a' (supplication) for him or give Sadaqah (voluntary charity) on his behalf. He should continue to do this unless two or more reliable and just witnesses testify to having seen his father slaughtering animals for or making Du`a' to other than Allah. Once this is proven, he has to abstain from making Du`a' for his benefit. This father's ultimate fate lies in the Hands of Allah (Praised and Exalted be He). When the Prophet (peace be upon him) sought permission to beseech forgiveness for his mother, Allah did not grant it to him. But when he sought permission from Allah to visit her grave, he was granted permission. This indicates that when someone dies upon the state of Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) even while being ignorant of it, it will not be permissible to make Du`a' for them, beseech Allah to forgive them, give Sadaqah (voluntary charity) or perform Hajj in their behalf. As for one who dies without ever hearing about Islam, his eternal fate belongs to Allah (Glorified be He).
However, the correct view held by scholars is that he will be tested on the Day of Resurrection; if he obeys Allah's command, he will enter Jannah (Paradise), but if he disobeys, he will enter Hell-fire. This is based on many Hadiths that have been narrated in this regard.”
Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez bin 'Abdullah bin Baaz
Source: www.alifta.net - Fatwas of Ibn Baz, Volume 8, Is it permissible to grant the reward of good deeds to a dead person who used to slaughter animals for others than Allah during his life?
“The questioner says, it is said that my father used to slaughter animals for the sake of people other than Allah. He also says that the absence of scholars who would direct and advise him was responsible for that. Now, he wants to give Sadaqah (voluntary charity) and perform Hajj on his behalf. What is the ruling regarding this?”
Answer:
“If his father was known for righteousness and benevolence, he should not believe the ill words conveyed about him by those whose truthfulness is not known. It is an act of Sunnah to make Du`a' (supplication) for him or give Sadaqah (voluntary charity) on his behalf. He should continue to do this unless two or more reliable and just witnesses testify to having seen his father slaughtering animals for or making Du`a' to other than Allah. Once this is proven, he has to abstain from making Du`a' for his benefit. This father's ultimate fate lies in the Hands of Allah (Praised and Exalted be He). When the Prophet (peace be upon him) sought permission to beseech forgiveness for his mother, Allah did not grant it to him. But when he sought permission from Allah to visit her grave, he was granted permission. This indicates that when someone dies upon the state of Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) even while being ignorant of it, it will not be permissible to make Du`a' for them, beseech Allah to forgive them, give Sadaqah (voluntary charity) or perform Hajj in their behalf. As for one who dies without ever hearing about Islam, his eternal fate belongs to Allah (Glorified be He).
However, the correct view held by scholars is that he will be tested on the Day of Resurrection; if he obeys Allah's command, he will enter Jannah (Paradise), but if he disobeys, he will enter Hell-fire. This is based on many Hadiths that have been narrated in this regard.”
Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez bin 'Abdullah bin Baaz
Source: www.alifta.net - Fatwas of Ibn Baz, Volume 8, Is it permissible to grant the reward of good deeds to a dead person who used to slaughter animals for others than Allah during his life?