Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“It is not (proper) for the Prophet and those who believe to ask Allah’s forgiveness for the Mushrikoon, even though they be of kin, after it has become clear to them that they are the dwellers of the Fire (because they died in a state of disbelief).” [al-Tawbah 9:113]
The apparent meaning of this aayah is that it is not allowed to ask for forgiveness for mushrikeen even if they are close relatives. Many of us Bedouin Arabs have parents and relatives who are accustomed to offering sacrifices at graves, seeking a means of reaching Allah through the occupants of those graves, fulfilling vows to offer sacrifices at their graves, and seeking the help of the occupants of the graves to alleviate distress and heal disease. They have died in this state, for no one reached them who could teach them about Tawheed and the true meaning of Laa ilaaha ill-Allah, or who could teach them that vows, supplications and worship are not right unless they are directed to Allah Alone. Is it correct to walk in their funeral procession, to pray over them, to make du`a and seek forgiveness for them, to perform Hajj on their behalf and to give charity on their behalf?
