If the deceased is doubtful, who performs the funeral prayer: Shi‘i or Sunni?

Question

Zayd’s mother is a Shi‘i and still firmly holds to it: she prays and so on the way the Shi‘is do, and in the days of Muharram she takes part in their gatherings; however, outwardly she does not revile any Sunni or anyone else. She makes a bequest that after her death the Shi‘is and the Sunnis should together perform the funeral prayer. Since Zayd is a Sunni, he wants the funeral prayer after her death to be led by a Sunni scholar, a graduate of Deoband.

Answer

So long as there is no ruling of unbelief [against her], the funeral prayer should be performed, according to the words of the Prophet ﷺ: [ar]صَلُّوا عَلَى كُلِّ بر وفاجر[/ar] “Pray over everyone, righteous and sinful” (hadith).

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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