What is the ruling on a Muslim participating in the funeral procession of a Kitābī (person of the Book), and is the disagreement on this issue significant, and what is the response to what has been narrated from the Tabi'un concerning this?

The opinions of jurists differ regarding the ruling on attending a non-Muslim's funeral, oscillating between prohibition and permissibility. We have favored the opinion of prohibition, which is the doctrine of the Maliki and Hanbali schools of thought. This view is supported by the argument that attending a funeral is an honor to the deceased, and a non-Muslim is not deserving of honor; rather, they are deserving of humiliation. This is further supported by Allah's saying: "Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves" and His saying: "nor do they step any step that enrages the disbelievers."