Explanation of the Prescribed Condolence
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Q562: The questioner I. A. H. from the Republic of Sudan asks: What is the prescribed condolence, and what is the ruling on raising the hands and reciting al-Fatihah during condolence?
A562: The prescribed condolence is that when you meet the bereaved, you make du'a' for the deceased and for the bereaved, by saying: May Allah improve your consolation, may Allah compensate you for your loss, and may Allah forgive your deceased. You make du'a' for mercy and forgiveness. Also included in this is
if the family of the deceased is occupied with the loss and has not had the time to prepare food to eat, it is recommended (mustahabb) for the Muslim to prepare food and send it to them, to console them and lighten their burden, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said when the news of the martyrdom of Ja'far ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) reached him:Al-Mustadrak lil-Hakim 14:125. As for reciting al-Fatihah for the soul of the deceased, this has no basis in the Shari'ah, and no evidence has come from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) regarding it. What has come in the Book and the Sunnah is making du'a' for the deceased, seeking forgiveness for him, and praying over his funeral. Likewise, giving charity on his behalf and other forms of righteousness, such as performing Hajj on his behalf and 'Umrah on his behalf. These matters reach the deceased by the permission of Allah, if Allah accepts them. Evidence has come regarding these matters: making du'a' for the deceased, seeking forgiveness for him, giving charity on his behalf, and performing Hajj and 'Umrah. These matters, as well as sacrificing an animal (udhiyah) on behalf of the deceased, all of these matters have been legislated in the Shari'ah as benefiting the deceased. As for reciting al-Fatihah, no evidence has come from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) regarding it; rather, it is something the ignorant have become accustomed to
reciting for the sake of blessing, and reciting for occasions they know among themselves. All of this has no evidence. Al-Fatihah is recited in what has been prescribed for its recitation, namely in the prayer.
A562: The prescribed condolence is that when you meet the bereaved, you make du'a' for the deceased and for the bereaved, by saying: May Allah improve your consolation, may Allah compensate you for your loss, and may Allah forgive your deceased. You make du'a' for mercy and forgiveness. Also included in this is
if the family of the deceased is occupied with the loss and has not had the time to prepare food to eat, it is recommended (mustahabb) for the Muslim to prepare food and send it to them, to console them and lighten their burden, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said when the news of the martyrdom of Ja'far ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) reached him:
Prepare food for the family of Ja'far, for a matter has come to them that occupies them.
اصنعوا لآل جعفر طعامًا، فقد أتاهم أمر يشغلهمreciting for the sake of blessing, and reciting for occasions they know among themselves. All of this has no evidence. Al-Fatihah is recited in what has been prescribed for its recitation, namely in the prayer.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.