Muslims should avoid saying ‘Rest In Peace’ to non-muslims – Jakim

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Citing the Quran, Turkish scholar says Muslims can say ‘RIP’ for non-Muslims

PETALING JAYA: Turkish scholar Mustafa Akyol says Muslims can say “rest in peace” when offering their condolences to deceased non-Muslims, adding that God’s mercy is not limited to Muslims.

Akyol said his view, which was shared by other leading theologians, was based on two almost identical Quranic verses – 2:62 and 5:69 – which state that all good people who believe in God will be saved.

These verses explicitly state that “believers (Muslims), Jews, Christians and the Sabians (an extinct religious group)” will be saved in the afterlife, he said.

Verse 2:62 says: “All those who believe in God and the Last Day and do good, will have their rewards with their Lord. No fear for them, nor will they grieve.”

“So, according to the Quran, God’s mercy is not limited to Muslims,” Akyol told FMT.

“Muslims, therefore, can say ‘rest in peace’ for non-Muslims, and pray for their souls, if they are good people.”

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