When `Abdullah bin Ubai (the chief of hypocrites) died, his son came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Please give me your shirt to shroud him in it, offer his funeral prayer and ask for Allah's forgiveness for him." So Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) (p.b.u.h) gave his shirt to him and said, "Inform me (When the funeral is ready) so that I may offer the funeral prayer." So, he informed him and when the Prophet intended to offer the funeral prayer, `Umar took hold of his hand and said, "Has Allah not forbidden you to offer the funeral prayer for the hypocrites? The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "I have been given the choice for Allah says: '(It does not avail) Whether you (O Muhammad) ask forgiveness for them (hypocrites), or do not ask for forgiveness for them. Even though you ask for their forgiveness seventy times, Allah will not forgive them. (9.80)" So the Prophet (ﷺ) offered the funeral prayer and on that the revelation came: "And never (O Muhammad) pray (funeral prayer) for any of them (i.e. hypocrites) that dies." (9. 84)
The Incident of Abdullah bin Ubai's Funeral
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 1269 presents a profound lesson regarding the treatment of hypocrites (munafiqun) in Islam. The son's request for the Prophet's shirt, funeral prayer, and forgiveness demonstrates the complexity of dealing with those whose inner disbelief is known only to Allah.
Scholarly Commentary on the Prophet's Actions
The Prophet's initial willingness to pray for Abdullah bin Ubai reflects the principle of judging by apparent Islam (dhahir al-Islam). Scholars explain that before the specific revelation, the Prophet treated him according to his outward profession of faith.
Umar's intervention shows the companions' deep understanding of Quranic principles and their courage in advising the Prophet when they perceived a potential conflict with divine guidance.
Divine Revelation and Its Implications
The subsequent revelation in Surah At-Tawbah (9:84) established the permanent ruling that Muslims should not offer funeral prayers for known hypocrites. Classical commentators emphasize this serves as a warning against hypocrisy and clarifies that outward rituals cannot benefit those who die upon hidden disbelief.
Scholars note that this incident demonstrates how Islamic rulings were gradually revealed to address specific situations, showing the wisdom of progressive legislation in the early Muslim community.
Legal Rulings Derived
From this hadith, jurists derive that funeral prayers are not offered for apostates or known hypocrites. However, they caution that this ruling applies only to those whose hypocrisy is definitively established through clear evidence, not mere suspicion.
The incident also establishes the permissibility of using one's garment as a shroud when necessary, and the importance of fulfilling reasonable requests from the deceased's family when religiously permissible.