New Practices at Graveyards, Distributing Water, and Talking After the Burial

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, he says: Certain matters have become widespread among us in some graveyards. He says: Certain matters have become widespread among us in some graveyards, and we ask you to clarify their ruling. Among them, he says, is distributing water in the graveyard, raising the voice, and the elderly men talking about worldly matters, and their saying after the burial, "We have lunch or dinner at our place." Should these people be rebuked loudly, or should they be rebuked privately? And is it permissible to attend such matters?

Answer:
As for distributing water, there is no occasion for it. This is a newly invented matter, and it may lead to the distribution of food and charity at the graves, so this door should not be opened. The one who gets thirsty should go out and drink from the coolers in the streets or in the mosques; he is excused if he goes out to drink, and there is no contradiction in that. But distributing water at the graveyards is opening a door to something more severe than water, and it is not the custom that those who bury the dead are brought water to be distributed to them; this is not the custom. As for talking about worldly matters and the invitations, "Come have lunch at our place, come have dinner at our place," this is not fitting; this is not fitting in this situation. What is fitting is seeking forgiveness for the deceased. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: . So when they are finished with burying him, they stand at his grave and seek forgiveness for him and ask Allah for him to be steadfast, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded.