Would God place an infidel in heaven?

I'm a Muslim and I have been to several non-Muslim funerals and most of them have been of dear family members.

I mourn and pay my respect during these times, and yes, I do pray for the soul of the dead.

So it really angers me when Muslims use religious difference to disrespect the death of others and I definitely take personal offence to it.

It does not matter what religion the deceased is, respect should always be given.

We are all aware, especially since yesterday, how Malaysia's main Islamic religious authority, Jakim, warned Muslims not to pray for the souls of non-Muslims as they are infidels and are confirmed condemned to hell.

We are also well aware of how many people have countered this with the story of the Prophet Muhammad standing up in respect of a Jew who had died.

A friend had asked him why he stood up and he said that a Jew is still a human being.

This reminds me of a discussion that I have regularly with my friends regarding non-Muslims, or infidels, who died but had lived a life that was righteous and noble without ever committing any major sin aside from being an infidel.

Maybe he or she had fought against injustice, helped the oppressed and underprivileged, sacrificed for others, committed his life to the betterment of humanity, but was a Sikh, Christian, Jew, Taoist or atheist?

How would God, the all merciful and compassionate, treat these individuals?

Would he decide to overlook all the good this person had done and dump him or her in hell just because he or she prays differently than Muslims?

I really find that a little too hard to believe, even if it does say so in the Quran that infidels will be condemned to hell.

However for that one sentence, there are many others which explains God mercy and better judgment.

Surah Al Anbiyah states:

“We shall maintain proper justice on the Day of Judgment. No soul will be wronged at the least. For a deed even as small as a mustard seed one will duly be recompensed. We are efficient in maintaining the account.”

Surah Ibrahim states:

“For God will pay each self for whatever it earned. God is the most efficient reckoner.”

At the end of the day, we are all mere human beings who have no say or right to pass judgment on any other human being when it comes to their sprituality and relationship with God.

Only God knows and only God has the right to pass judgment in these situations. Bear in mind that God is the all-merciful and all-compassionate. Who are we to doubt that?

Just remember what the Prophet had said when he stood up in respect of  Jew's funeral - "Was he not a soul?".

If the Prophet could do that, then why can't we emulate that?

For all we know, God would just decide to place a noble infidel in heaven.

But we wouldn't know, would we?

What we do know is that God is great, all-mighty and all-powerful. – April 18, 2014.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.