Muslims should avoid saying ‘Rest in Peace’, says Jakim

Muslims are not encouraged to say "rest in peace" to a non-Muslim upon the latter's death, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) said today.

Datuk Othman Mustapha, director-general of Jakim, said saying those words had implications on a Muslim's faith if the real meaning was not understood, as saying "rest in peace" was a practice of non-Muslims that should not be followed by Muslims.

"The words 'rest in peace' is usually uttered by the Christians, especially Catholics, since the 18th century. These words are also often inscribed on the grave stones of demised Christians.

"The full version which originates from the Latin language goes, 'May his soul and the souls of all the departed faithful by God's mercy rest in peace'," he said today.

Othman was explaining the Fatwa Malaysia posting on his Facebook page on April 17 relating to the issue, which has caused dissatisfaction among certain quarters.

He said the explanation was based on Islamic rulings and the advice given by Fatwa Malaysia following doubts and questions raised by the public, and it was not a fatwa (edict) issued by the National Fatwa Muzakarah Committee.

Othman said Islam forbade its followers to pray for mercy for non-Muslims, as contained in verse 13 of the Taubah Chapter of the Quran and also stated by Imam an-Nawawi in Kitab al-Majmu.

However, he said, in a multiracial and multi-religious society like Malaysia, Islam did not forbid its followers from expressing condolences to the family of a non-Muslim who passed away, or saying comforting words that had no religious implication such as, "I sympathise with what happened to you".

"This take on 'rest in peace' is not a fatwa but a guideline for Muslims based on Quranic verses," he said.

Othman also urged all quarters not to make this matter polemic as it was meant to guide and advise Muslims, and not at all intended to show disrespect to people of other religions. – Bernama