What is the ruling on the condolence gathering held at the cemetery, where the deceased's family line up in a row and people come to offer their condolences?

Question:
What is the ruling on the condolence gathering held at the cemetery, where the deceased's family line up in a row and people come to offer their condolences?

Answer:
Condolence is originally prescribed because it involves comforting the bereaved and making du'a' for the deceased. However, organizing it in this manner at the cemetery or in the house, with scheduled sessions, is a departure from what is required. It may lead to matters of bid'ah (religious innovation) and newly invented practices. Therefore, if you encounter the bereaved, offer your condolences to them at the cemetery, in the mosque, in the market, in the store, or anywhere else, without a gathering and without the bereaved family assembling in a house or a place to receive people. This has no basis. This has no basis. Jarir ibn 'Abd Allah (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "We used to consider gathering at the house of the deceased and preparing food to be part of the mourning (niyah). There is no need for a gathering, neither at the cemetery nor elsewhere, nor any line or anything. When you have buried the deceased, walk away. And if you encounter the bereaved in any place, offer your condolences to them."