Abdullah bin Abu Qatadah narrates from his father: When the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was called to perform the funeral prayer for someone, he would inquire about the deceased. If good things were said about him, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would perform his funeral prayer. But if bad things were mentioned, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would say to the family: "You take care of him yourselves," and he would not perform his funeral prayer. (Imam Ibn Hibban, may Allah have mercy on him, says:) The Prophet (peace be upon him) did not perform the funeral prayer for the person whose description we have mentioned. His purpose in this was to teach his Ummah proper etiquette in this regard, so that they would avoid committing such acts. This does not mean that it is not permissible at all to perform the funeral prayer for a person who possesses the characteristic for which the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not perform the funeral prayer.