Standing up to salute a Dead Ruler

Question:

When a ruler or a president dies, some government officials stand up in mourning of the deceased, and when an Arab head of state dies, some Muslim states close down businesses and lower their flags from the mast for days. Is this permissible, knowing that wailing the dead is not permissible, and what they do is worse than that?

Answer:

What some people do, standing up silent for a period of time to mourn martyrs or prominent figures or in honor of their souls, and lowering flags, are all abominable, and innvoations, that were not practiced during the lifetime of the Prophet, nor his Companions, nor the Pious Predecessors. Neither do these things agree with the requirements of Tawhid, or the sincere magnifying of Allah. Some ignorant Muslims pick these practices from the disbelievers emulating their horrible customs, and their exceeding the limits in revering their heads of states and prominent figures, dead or alive. The Prophet forbade copying the disbelievers.

It is known that Islam regards the rights of its adherents such as supplicating in favor of the dead Muslims, giving charitable gifts on their behalf, remembering their good deeds, refraining from mentioning their shortcomings, and many other manners. All of which are rights due upon the living Muslims towards their deceased brethren. Standing in silence saluting martyrs or dignitaries contradicts the fundamentals of Islam. May Allah exalt the mention of our Prophet, his household, and his Companions.

Source:
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 1 Pages 64-65