The Sermon at the Grave and Testifying to the Deceased with Good

The questioner:
Is it permissible to remind people while they are in the cemetery to supplicate for the deceased for forgiveness and steadfastness, and to call upon people to testify to him with good? For I heard one of them say that this is not permissible, and that testifying to the deceased was specific to the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), as evidenced by the passing of the funeral procession and his (peace and blessings be upon him) placing a branch on the grave of the one who was being punished?

The Shaykh:
The sermon at the grave is not prescribed as a permanent practice. Making it a regular habit is not prescribed, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not make it a regular habit. He only did it once for a reason, which was that the grave had not yet been dug, meaning there was still work to be done in the grave. So instead of sitting in silence, it is recommended to admonish them and remind them, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did when they reached the grave and it had not yet been dug. He (peace and blessings be upon him) sat down, and his Companions sat around him, as if there were birds on their heads, out of humility and good conduct with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). So the Prophet admonished them. If this happens occasionally and for a reason, such as the grave needing repair, then there is no harm in it, following the example of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). However, making the sermon a regular habit and establishing it as a Sunnah always, without a reason, this has not been reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). As for supplicating for the deceased after burial, this is reported and authentic. After burying him, they stand at his grave, seek forgiveness for him, and ask for his steadfastness, as he (peace and blessings be upon him) said when they buried a deceased person: This is a Sunnah. Yes.

The questioner:
The Honorable Shaykh, may Allah preserve you, says:

The Shaykh:
Testifying to him—do not testify to anyone except to the one to whom the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) testified. We do not testify to anyone that they are in Paradise, and we do not testify to anyone that they are in the Fire, except to the one to whom the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) testified. But we fear for the one who does evil, and we hope for the one who does good. As for being certain that so-and-so is among the people of Paradise, or testifying to him that he is, this is not permissible. You do not know. Yes.