The Ruling on Handshaking and Embracing in Condolences
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The questioner:
The questioner from Riyadh says: It has become common among people in the context of condolences for some to greet others and embrace them because of that calamity. Is there a Shari'ah basis for this?
The Shaykh:
Well, offering condolences is recommended because it falls under the category of consoling the bereaved. One says, "May Allah improve your consolation, may Allah heal your loss, and may Allah forgive your deceased." As for handshaking and embracing, if it is a meeting after a period of absence, then that is also required. However, if they are in the same place and none of them has been absent from the others, there is no need for handshaking or embracing. This is for the one coming from a journey or from an absence. As for if they are in the same place, it is sufficient to make this supplication for him. Yes.
The questioner:
Perhaps some of those offering condolences feel that this provides solace for the bereaved, and that he is close to him and affected by his loss. Are these intentions sufficient for that, or is the act itself not forbidden or disliked?
The Shaykh:
In any case, the matter is easy in this regard. But if one limits it to the supplication, and there was no absence between them, then limiting it to the supplication is sufficient. And if he shakes his hand or embraces him in order to console him, and because this is the custom of people, and if he left it off, there might be something in the mind of the bereaved that he finds fault with his companion, then there is no harm in that.
The questioner from Riyadh says: It has become common among people in the context of condolences for some to greet others and embrace them because of that calamity. Is there a Shari'ah basis for this?
The Shaykh:
Well, offering condolences is recommended because it falls under the category of consoling the bereaved. One says, "May Allah improve your consolation, may Allah heal your loss, and may Allah forgive your deceased." As for handshaking and embracing, if it is a meeting after a period of absence, then that is also required. However, if they are in the same place and none of them has been absent from the others, there is no need for handshaking or embracing. This is for the one coming from a journey or from an absence. As for if they are in the same place, it is sufficient to make this supplication for him. Yes.
The questioner:
Perhaps some of those offering condolences feel that this provides solace for the bereaved, and that he is close to him and affected by his loss. Are these intentions sufficient for that, or is the act itself not forbidden or disliked?
The Shaykh:
In any case, the matter is easy in this regard. But if one limits it to the supplication, and there was no absence between them, then limiting it to the supplication is sufficient. And if he shakes his hand or embraces him in order to console him, and because this is the custom of people, and if he left it off, there might be something in the mind of the bereaved that he finds fault with his companion, then there is no harm in that.
Source
قناة «العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان»، ما حكم السلام والعناق في تعزية بعضنا البعض، وهل لذلك أصل شرعي؟ الشيخ صالح بن فوزان الفوزان؟ — youtube.com
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.