Khaberni - Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Dar Al-Ifta, and the Egyptian Ministry of Religious Endowments responded to the insults towards the parents of Prophet Muhammad and confirmed that their salvation from punishment is the correct and established opinion among scholars throughout the ages.
The religious institutions clarified that this opinion is based on several evidences, including that the parents of the Prophet died before his mission, and anyone who dies without the message reaching them is saved, as stated in the Noble Quran, “And We were not to punish until We sent a messenger ([Quran 17:15]),” in addition to them following the original monotheistic religion, as God said: “And your movement among those who prostrate ([Quran 26:219])."
The scholars indicated that any narration suggesting disbelief (kufr) of the Prophet's parents has been distorted or misinterpreted, and anyone claiming their disbelief has made a mistake and harmed the Prophet, peace be upon him and his family, but such a person is not to be declared a disbeliever, as this is not an essential matter of the religion.
The scholars also cited the views of Sheikh Al-Bajoori, Sheikh Mahmoud Khatib Al-Subki, and Sheikh Shihab Al-Din Al-Halwani, who confirmed that all the Prophet's parents are saved, and any insult or accusation towards them is considered harm to the Prophet himself, warning against discussing these matters without observing the propriety and respect due to his esteemed position.
The Ministry of Religious Endowments, through its official online platform, affirmed that addressing the issue of the Prophet's parents must be within the framework of the required Islamic etiquette, in honor of the Prophet’s noble status, taking into account the views of many Sunni scholars, who consider them among the people of the interregnum who did not receive the Prophet’s message, relying on definitive religious texts and established jurisprudential rules in interpreting the texts and harmonizing them.
The ministry clarified that the Noble Quran establishes a significant principle of divine justice, which is that there is no blame or punishment before the argument is established and the message reached, citing: “And We were not to punish until We sent a messenger,” pointing out that this principle is based on by many scholars as they discuss those who were not reached by the correct divine message as being among the people of the interregnum.
The ministry added that numerous prominent scholars through the ages have researched and reasoned about this issue, emphasising the need to respect the hierarchy of legal evidences and to reconcile the texts to achieve the objectives of the Sharia and preserve the fundamentals of belief, noting that some narrations that dealt with this issue are understood in the light of fundamental rules and adjudication between evidences, especially when conflicting presumptive with definitive.
The Ministry of Religious Endowments stressed that scientific dissent in such doctrinal matters should remain within the scope of disciplined scientific research, away from controversy or discussions that may transgress the boundaries of decorum with the prophetic presence, reaffirming that honoring the Prophet ﷺ entails protecting everything related to him from insult or diminishment, and that this is integral to faith and love for the noble Messenger.
The ministry pointed out that the moderate approach adopted by the official religious institutions in Egypt is based on respect for Islamic scholarly heritage, fostering a culture of substantive scientific dialogue, and asserting that historical doctrinal disputes should be addressed calmly and scientifically, presenting what unites the nation and preserves its constants.
The Ministry of Religious Endowments confirmed that safety in such matters is achieved by adhering to Islamic decorum, refraining from engaging in discussions that may bring insult or harm to the Prophet's status ﷺ, noting that the books of Islamic heritage are replete with examples of scholars who combined rigorous scientific investigation with proper respect for the prophetic office.
