What is the ruling on my attending the funeral of my Japanese Buddhist friend and supplicating for her forgiveness and mercy after her death while she was not upon the religion of Islam, and what is the ruling on my uncovering my face or hair in front of unbelieving Japanese women?

Firstly: If a woman does not pronounce the Two Testimonies (Shahadatain), she remains upon her religion, and a mere inclination of her heart towards Islam will not benefit her. This applies to every disbeliever who dies upon their disbelief, like Abu Talib. Therefore, it is not permissible to supplicate for forgiveness and mercy for this woman, as Allah the Almighty says: (It is not for the Prophet and those who have believed to ask forgiveness for polytheists, even if they were relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are companions of Hellfire) [At-Tawbah (definition):113].

Secondly: It is not permissible to attend the funeral of a disbeliever if it involves polytheistic rituals.

Thirdly: It is permissible for a Muslim woman to uncover her face and hair in front of a disbelieving woman, unless she fears that the disbelieving woman might describe her to men.