Placing light fixtures, chairs, and Qur'an reciters at condolence gatherings
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Fatwa number ( 20855 )
Q: It is observed here in Makkah al-Mukarramah , the sacred land of Allah, and al-Madinah al-Munawwarah , as well as in Jeddah , that light fixtures, chairs, and reciters of the Noble Qur'an are arranged using loudspeakers, followed by a large dinner and feast. This takes place in the sight and hearing of
the people, and sometimes it is set up in the streets, sometimes in homes, and sometimes in places designated for condolences, following an old religious innovation. The matter requires a fatwa regarding such things specifically, to alert and remind those who do such things, so that perhaps they may become aware. I hope you will look into this and provide your noble guidance, may Allah protect you.
A: The Sunnah after a person's death is to console his family, offer condolences, encourage them to be patient and seek reward from Allah, and to make du'a for them and for the deceased. It is recommended (mustahabb) for their relatives or neighbors to prepare food for them that is sufficient, because they may be preoccupied with their calamity. It is established that when the news of the death of Ja'far (may Allah be pleased with him) reached the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), he said:Sunan Ibn Majah 1610Hasan (Darussalam). As for going beyond that by holding a mourning ceremony, placing light fixtures and chairs, using loudspeakers, bringing in reciters, and feeding people... etc., all of that is among the newly invented matters (bid'ah) that are not permissible to do or to approve of. It is obligatory to disapprove of it, to advise one another to abandon it, and to counsel one another regarding it. It is established that Jarir ibn 'Abd Allah al-Bajali said: "We used to consider gathering at the home of the deceased and preparing food after the burial to be part of wailing (niyahah)." All good lies in following the Sunnah and abandoning innovations. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: It is observed here in Makkah al-Mukarramah , the sacred land of Allah, and al-Madinah al-Munawwarah , as well as in Jeddah , that light fixtures, chairs, and reciters of the Noble Qur'an are arranged using loudspeakers, followed by a large dinner and feast. This takes place in the sight and hearing of
the people, and sometimes it is set up in the streets, sometimes in homes, and sometimes in places designated for condolences, following an old religious innovation. The matter requires a fatwa regarding such things specifically, to alert and remind those who do such things, so that perhaps they may become aware. I hope you will look into this and provide your noble guidance, may Allah protect you.
A: The Sunnah after a person's death is to console his family, offer condolences, encourage them to be patient and seek reward from Allah, and to make du'a for them and for the deceased. It is recommended (mustahabb) for their relatives or neighbors to prepare food for them that is sufficient, because they may be preoccupied with their calamity. It is established that when the news of the death of Ja'far (may Allah be pleased with him) reached the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), he said:
Prepare food for the family of Ja’far, for there has come to them that which is keeping them busy
اصنعوا لآل جعفر طعامًا، فقد جاءهم ما يشغلهم
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.