To Non Muslims : Rest In Pieces ??

There has been heightened sunspot activity over the past few months which has much effect on the weather all around the world. California is suffering 100% drought. This means all counties in the State are dry. Two days ago, all radio communications were disrupted for about an hour in the Pacific area after another major sunspot eruption. 

I think the extra sunspot activity is also having an effect on people too. Here is the news from The Sun :

Jakim: Muslims should avoid saying 'rest in peace'

KUALA LUMPUR: Muslims are not encouraged to say, "rest in peace" to a non-Muslim upon the latter's death.
 

(Jakim) director-general, Datuk Othman Mustapha 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.

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

"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

Well what the Jakim man said is definitely not from the Quran. So it is bound to create argument and debate. 

For example, the former Mufti of Perlis Dr Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin does not seem to agree with the JAKIM guys. He said the following :

• Former Perlis mufti Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin had called on the Council to be more detailed when issuing edicts.
• "The recent statement by the council about discouraging Muslims from saying RIP should be explained further so that everyone will have a better understanding," Asri had said.
• He said the council's explanation should be based on two categories: whether the deceased understood but rejected Islam outright, or whether he or she has yet to receive the call to accept the religion. 
• Asri said in the hereafter, Allah would evaluate a person's faith based on a clear and actual Islamic message.
• "A person will only be declared an unbeliever or infidel if it is clear that they had rejected the true Islamic message.

I think the sunspot activity has affected more than just the weather. First of all no one says "rest in peace" to a non-Muslim upon the latter's death". They are dead. You dont speak to dead people. If at all we wish their families, 'May so and so rest in peace'. 

Its a lot better than saying : 'You are not Muslims. Sorry. I cant say 'may he rest in peace'. 

That would be rude. You dont have to be a Muslim to know that human beings have to be polite and courteous to all human beings.  You dont have to be a non Muslim to know that you should never be rude to people who have just lost their loved ones. 

What does the Quran say? The Quran does not condemn the Jews, the Christians and Sabeans as disbelievers. The Quran says :

Surah 2:62  "Lo! Those who believe and those who are Jews (haadu), and christians (Nassara) and Sabaeans (Saabi-in) whoever believeth in Allah and the Last Day and doeth right - surely their reward is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve."

So how does Jakim handle this verse in the Quran? The Jews, Christians and Sabeans who believe in Allah, the  Last Day, there shall be no fear upon them and neither shall they grieve.

If the JAKIM guys dont speak the London, here it is in Jakim's own translation :

2:62 Sesungguhnya orang-orang yang beriman, dan orang-orang Yahudi, dan orang-orang Nasara (Nasrani), dan orang-orang Saabi'in, sesiapa di antara mereka itu beriman kepada Allah dan (beriman kepada) hari akhirat serta beramal salih, maka bagi mereka pahala balasannya di sisi Tuhan mereka, dan tidak ada kebimbangan (dari berlakunya kejadian yang tidak baik) kepada mereka, dan mereka pula tidak akan berdukacita.

Yukky. Banyaknya bracket. Here is their translation minus the brackets. 

Surah 2:62 "Sesungguhnya orang-orang yang beriman, dan orang-orang Yahudi, dan orang-orang Nasara dan orang-orang Saabi'in, sesiapa di antara mereka itu beriman kepada Allah dan hari akhirat serta beramal salih, maka bagi mereka pahala balasannya di sisi Tuhan mereka, dan tidak ada kebimbangan kepada mereka, dan mereka pula tidak akan berdukacita."

"Tidak ada kebimbangan kepada mereka" = there shall no fear come upon them  

"Mereka pula tidak akan berdukacita" = neither shall they grieve

They will be in peace. They will also rest in peace.