He was told that his father used to slaughter sacrifices to other than Allah. He now wants to give Sadaqah and perform Hajj on his behalf, as his father did that because there were no scholars or people to guide and advise him.
Question:
“The questioner says that he was told that his father used to slaughter sacrifices to other than Allah. He now wants to give Sadaqah (voluntary charity) and perform Hajj on his behalf, as his father did that because there were no scholars or people to guide and advise him. What is the ruling on this?”
Answer:
“If his father was known for being a good, righteous Muslim, it is not permissible for him to believe what else is said about him by people of unknown credibility. It is Sunnah (supererogatory act of worship following the example of the Prophet) to supplicate and give Sadaqah for him, unless he definitely knows that he died in a state of Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship). This must be confirmed by two or more trustworthy and fair witnesses, who testify that they saw him slaughtering animals for other than Allah, such as for the dead or others, or they heard him supplicating to other than Allah, only then should he stop supplicating to Allah for him, and his case is for Allah to judge. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked for permission to seek forgiveness for his mother, it was not granted to him, although she died in the time of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic time of ignorance) as a follower of the religion of the Kafirs (disbelievers). But when he (peace be upon him) asked permission from his Lord to visit her grave, He granted him permission to do that. This shows that it is not permissible to supplicate to Allah for someone who dies as a Mushrik (one who associates others with Allah in His Divinity or worship), even if they were ignorant, nor can you ask Allah to forgive them, or give Sadaqah or perform Hajj on their behalf. As for those who died in a place where Da‘wah (calling to Islam) had not reached them, their case is for Allah to judge (Glorified be He). The correct opinion among the scholars is that they will be tested on the Day of Resurrection; if they obey Allah they will enter Jannah (Paradise), and if they disobey Him they will enter Hellfire, according to Sahih (Hadith that have been transmitted by people known for their uprightness and exactitude; free from eccentricity and blemish) Hadiths that were reported in this regard.”
Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez bin 'Abdullah bin Baaz
Source: www.alifta.net - Fatwas of Ibn Baz, Volume 28, Book on subject related to `Aqidah.
“The questioner says that he was told that his father used to slaughter sacrifices to other than Allah. He now wants to give Sadaqah (voluntary charity) and perform Hajj on his behalf, as his father did that because there were no scholars or people to guide and advise him. What is the ruling on this?”
Answer:
“If his father was known for being a good, righteous Muslim, it is not permissible for him to believe what else is said about him by people of unknown credibility. It is Sunnah (supererogatory act of worship following the example of the Prophet) to supplicate and give Sadaqah for him, unless he definitely knows that he died in a state of Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship). This must be confirmed by two or more trustworthy and fair witnesses, who testify that they saw him slaughtering animals for other than Allah, such as for the dead or others, or they heard him supplicating to other than Allah, only then should he stop supplicating to Allah for him, and his case is for Allah to judge. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked for permission to seek forgiveness for his mother, it was not granted to him, although she died in the time of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic time of ignorance) as a follower of the religion of the Kafirs (disbelievers). But when he (peace be upon him) asked permission from his Lord to visit her grave, He granted him permission to do that. This shows that it is not permissible to supplicate to Allah for someone who dies as a Mushrik (one who associates others with Allah in His Divinity or worship), even if they were ignorant, nor can you ask Allah to forgive them, or give Sadaqah or perform Hajj on their behalf. As for those who died in a place where Da‘wah (calling to Islam) had not reached them, their case is for Allah to judge (Glorified be He). The correct opinion among the scholars is that they will be tested on the Day of Resurrection; if they obey Allah they will enter Jannah (Paradise), and if they disobey Him they will enter Hellfire, according to Sahih (Hadith that have been transmitted by people known for their uprightness and exactitude; free from eccentricity and blemish) Hadiths that were reported in this regard.”
Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez bin 'Abdullah bin Baaz
Source: www.alifta.net - Fatwas of Ibn Baz, Volume 28, Book on subject related to `Aqidah.