Question Summary:
Permissibility of saying RIP for a Kaffir

Question Detail:

 If a Muslim says RIP, REST IN PEACE for a non Muslim, or to seek forgiveness and peace for them whether the non Muslim is alive or dead, is that Kufr? Does saying this make a Muslim a kafir? 

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh. 
 
There is no point in making Dua for peace for a non-muslim as there is no peace in Kufr. One may make dua for guidance of Islam for a non-muslim. As Muslims we do not subscribe to the concept of RIP (rest in peace) for a deceased non-muslim. It is therefore not permissible for a muslim to say RIP or to seek forgiveness for a non-muslim.[1] Consider the following verse:
 
{مَا كَانَ لِلنَّبِيِّ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَنْ يَسْتَغْفِرُوا لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ وَلَوْ كَانُوا أُولِي قُرْبَى مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُمْ أَصْحَابُ الْجَحِيمِ (113) وَمَا كَانَ اسْتِغْفَارُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ لِأَبِيهِ إِلَّا عَنْ مَوْعِدَةٍ وَعَدَهَا إِيَّاهُ فَلَمَّا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ أَنَّهُ عَدُوٌّ لِلَّهِ تَبَرَّأَ مِنْهُ إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ لَأَوَّاهٌ حَلِيمٌ } [التوبة: 113، 114]
 
Translation: It is not (befitting) for the Prophet and those who believe to ask forgiveness for the disbelievers, even if they were relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are dwellers of Hellfire. And the request of forgiveness of Ibrahim for his father was only because of a promise he had made to him. But when it became apparent to Ibrahim that his father was an enemy to Allah , he disassociated himself from him. Indeed, Ibrahim was most tender-hearted, forbearing.
 
However, making Dua for a deceased non-Muslim does not constitute Kufr.[2]
 
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Saleem khan
Student Darul Iftaa
Bradford, UK
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net