Answered by Muftī Yūsuf Badāt
Question:
I am a revert. My parents believe in one God but did not take their shahādah. If I was to memorize the Qur’ān, would that benefit them anyhow on the day of judgement?
Answers:
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allāh, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Jazāk Allāh Khayr/ Thank you for contacting Mathābah.
I pray the Almighty quickly guide your parents to embrace Islam.
Parents have a high rank in Islam and they are to be treated with respect and honour even if they are non-muslims. – (See: Qur’ān 29:8[1])
As far as non-muslim parents are concerned who have supported their muslim children while studying or memorizing the Qur’ān (financially, emotionally, mentally etc.), they will be rewarded and blessed for their good in this world.
“When non-muslims do good, they are made to experience the rewards in this world. And far as the believer is concerned, Allāh stores (rewards) of their virtues for the Hereafter and provides them sustenance in accordance with their obedience to Him.” – (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2808)[2]
A ḥāfidh (one who memorizes the Qur’ān) will be granted the honour to intercede for believers who are destined to the Hellfire. In general, this intercession is only for believers. -(See: Qur’ān 74:48[3])
Prophets have not been permitted to intercede for their disbelieving parents and or children. A prophet’s rank is greater than a ḥāfidh, so if a prophet’s intercession for a non-muslim relative is not permitted then we can well understand that the same will apply to a ḥāfidh, who is in a lower rank than a prophet.
“It is not for the Prophet and those who have believed to ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even if they were relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are inhabitants of the Hellfire [due to kufr].” – (Qur’ān 9:113[4])
Only Allāh knows best
[1] وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ حُسْنًا وَإِن جَاهَدَاكَ لِتُشْرِكَ بِي مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ فَلَا تُطِعْهُمَا إِلَيَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ – سورة العنكبوت ٨
[2] إِنَّ الْكَافِرَ إِذَا عَمِلَ حَسَنَةً أُطْعِمَ بِهَا طُعْمَةً مِنَ الدُّنْيَا وَأَمَّا الْمُؤْمِنُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يَدَّخِرُ لَهُ حَسَنَاتِهِ فِي الآخِرَةِ وَيُعْقِبُهُ رِزْقًا فِي الدُّنْيَا عَلَى طَاعَتِهِ – رواه مسلم ٢٨٠٨
[3] فَمَا تَنفَعُهُمْ شَفَاعَةُ الشَّافِعِينَ – سورة المدثر ٤٨
[4] مَا كَانَ لِلنَّبِيِّ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَن يَسْتَغْفِرُوا لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ وَلَوْ كَانُوا أُولِي قُرْبَىٰ مِن بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُمْ أَصْحَابُ الْجَحِيمِ – سورة التوبة ١١٣
