We have a custom where, when one of our relatives passes away, before the condolence gathering is held, they prepare a register to record the names of those who will come to offer condolences and pay money.
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The questioner : We have a custom where, when one of our relatives passes away, his family, before the condolence gathering is held, prepare a register to record the names of those who will come to offer condolences and pay money to the deceased's family as consolation for their loss. Is this money lawful or forbidden?
The Shaykh : This practice is a religious innovation (bid'ah) that was not known among the Salaf. What is known, and what the Sunnah brought, is that when the news of the death of Ja'far ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) reached us, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sunan Ibn Majah 1610Hasan (Darussalam) So, if we know that those afflicted by this deceased have been preoccupied with their grief from preparing their lunch or dinner, there is no harm, indeed it is a recommended practice (sunnah) for us to send them food to relieve them of the burden, fatigue, and work on this day. As for registering the condolers and for the condolers to think that they have a tax they must pay, this is from the innovations. And if that is the case, then the money taken for an innovation is not lawful and is not permissible. It is obligatory for a person to be patient, seek reward from Allah, and take the compensation for his affliction from Allah (Mighty and Majestic). Indeed, it is obligatory for the believer, when afflicted with such afflictions, or with any affliction, to say what Allah praised those who say: [Al-Baqarah 2:155-156] And as it is established in the authentic hadith that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: .
The questioner : This is a message from the listener Adam ibn Ismail from Somalia. His first question says:
The Shaykh : This practice is a religious innovation (bid'ah) that was not known among the Salaf. What is known, and what the Sunnah brought, is that when the news of the death of Ja'far ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) reached us, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Prepare food for the family of Ja’far, for there has come to them that which is keeping them busy
اصنعوا لأل جعفر طعاماً فقد أتاهم ما يشغلهمbut give good tidings to the patient, (156) Who, when disaster strikes them, say, "Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return."
وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُمْ مُصِيبَةٌ قَالُوا إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَNo Muslim is struck by a calamity and then says, "O Allah, reward me in my calamity and replace for me something better than it," except that Allah rewards him and replaces for him something better than it.
ما من مسلم يصاب بمصيبة ثم يقول اللهم أجرني في مصيبتي وأخلف لي خيراً منها إلا ءاجره الله وأخلف له خيراً منهاThe questioner : This is a message from the listener Adam ibn Ismail from Somalia. His first question says: