Q: I have presented this question 5 times. i may have sent it in a politically incorrect manner. i hope this time it is answered.  If a person is accused committing a crime like that of the ‘Boston massacre,’ can the perpetrator be given a muslim burial, janazah prayer, grave around muslims? Can you also adress why some imaams have declined a muslim burial and muslim cemetery. Would it politically correct to condemn the criminal to make people feel good as some imaams are doing?  Thanks (text)

A: If it cannot be proven with absolute certainty that a person committed a crime and while in the act of committing the crime they were indeed disbelievers, the following would apply:

• If it cannot be concluded that he is a disbeliever, he should have a small burial without public invitation.  He should be buried without recognition as well as in an unmarked and remote area of the Muslim graveyard.
• His body should be best washed by his family or those that are close to him.
• The prayer should be done by family. The major imaams should show the people the correct way to perform the janazah prayer, they should try and not attend, so as to eliminate sanction of it.
• Attention must be always minimized for criminals at the time of their Janazah.
• The task of an ‘imaam’ has nothing to do with making people feel good or bad, it is about giving a response in light of the evidence — both secular and religious.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

p.s. The above is a general response, we are not making the claim of anyone’s guilt or innocence. The response is in light of not giving a criminal greater attention, nor is it to give a ceremonial burial for a possible wrong doer.  Yet, we call upon respect for the deceased, not respect the wrongful actions of the deceased.