The Ruling on Limiting Condolences to Three Days

Question:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, is there evidence that condolences are limited to three days? And what should the family of the deceased do after the burial? Are they allowed to devote themselves to condolences and sit for them?

Answer:
Limiting condolences to three days is a rationale for which I do not know of any evidence. However, the jurists offer a rationale, saying that after three days, people forget their deceased, so you remind them of the grief, and it should not exceed three days because that is the time of need only. As for sitting for condolences, there is no basis for it. Condolences are, meaning, according to ability, in the mosque, in the street, in the shop, in the office, on the telephone, on the mobile phone; you offer your condolences. I have a need here for him to sit in the house, open the door, and last three days, and they prepare feasts; this is an excessive effort with no basis for it.