Can Muslims say RIP when someone dies?
It depends on who died. For a Muslim, "rest in peace" is a kind wish, but the sunnah words are "Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un" and a dua for forgiveness. For a non-Muslim, most scholars say not to pray for their forgiveness, so many Muslims write "Sorry for your loss" instead of RIP.
What Muslims say when someone dies
The Quran teaches believers a short phrase for every loss:
The Prophet ﷺ told Umm Salamah to say this when a calamity hits, along with "O Allah, reward me for my loss and give me something better in its place" (Sahih Muslim 918). When her husband Abu Salamah died, the Prophet ﷺ made dua for him: "O Allah, forgive Abu Salamah, raise his rank among the guided" (Sahih Muslim 920). See What do I say when I hear bad news as a Muslim?
Is "RIP" wrong for a Muslim who died?
No. "May he rest in peace" is a sincere wish for mercy, and the meaning is fine. Scholars simply encourage the better, more complete words. Instead of just "RIP", you could write:
- Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un.
- Allahummaghfir lahu/laha (O Allah, forgive him/her).
- May Allah have mercy on him and grant him Jannah.
Some people object that RIP comes from a Christian Latin prayer. Most scholars don't make this a big issue when the intention is a dua, but they prefer the Islamic phrases.
When a non-Muslim dies
Quran 9:113 tells believers not to ask forgiveness for those who died as idolaters, and most scholars apply this to praying for forgiveness or Paradise for anyone who died outside Islam. Because "rest in peace" is usually meant as a prayer for the soul, many scholars advise avoiding it here. See Can I pray for my non-Muslim mother after she dies?
You can still show real kindness. These are all fine:
- "I'm so sorry for your loss."
- "He was a kind man. Thinking of you all."
- "May God give you patience and comfort."
Visiting, bringing food and attending the service respectfully are all allowed. See Can I attend my non-Muslim grandma's funeral as a Muslim?
On social media
Comments under a death announcement are read by grieving people. Keep them short and gentle, and never debate someone's afterlife in the comments. Your role is to comfort the living. See How do I deal with grief as a Muslim?
- The sunnah phrase is "Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un".
- For a Muslim, RIP is acceptable, but a dua for forgiveness is better.
- For a non-Muslim, offer condolences rather than prayers for forgiveness.
- Comfort the family with kind, simple words.
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