The Ruling on Patience, Condolences, and Designating a Specific Place and Time

Question:
The Shaykh. What is the ruling on patience and condolences?

Answer:
At the cemetery? And is there a prohibition against lighting fires during the first three days after the season of condolence? The original practice is prescribed, and that is because when you meet someone who has suffered a loss, you say, "May Allah improve your consolation, mend your affliction, and forgive your deceased," if the deceased was a Muslim, then you pray for his forgiveness. This is not tied to a specific time or place; that is, whenever you meet him and wherever you meet him, you offer your condolences, whether you meet him in the mosque, the shop, the market, the school, or anywhere. As for designating a specific time and a specific place for condolences, this has no basis in the religion of Islam, and there is a fear that it will develop and lead to the mourning gatherings (ma'tam) that are held now in other countries. Now, in other countries, mourning gatherings are held where tents and pavilions are set up, lights are installed, reciters are hired, specific days are designated for condolences, and there is commotion and loss of money and slaughtering. All of this is . Our religion, and praise be to Allah, is a religion of ease. Condolences are made easy; whenever you meet your brother, you offer your condolences, or you call him on the telephone, or you write him a letter if he is far away and offer your condolences. Matters are made easy, and praise be to Allah. As for these gatherings and these burdens, Allah has not sent down any authority for them. If you did not offer condolences, nothing would be wrong. The original practice of condolences is among the recommended acts (mustahabbat); if you did not offer condolences, nothing would happen. As for arranging a gathering at the cemetery, outside the cemetery, or at so-and-so's house for condolences, or accepting condolences at a specific place, all of this is . It may develop and lead to what exists in other countries, such as holding mourning gatherings and the ta'biyyah (post-funeral gathering), and when that happens, the calamity arrives, and there is no power or strength except with Allah. O Shaykh. Yes, this is due to ignorance, in that they criticize those who do not do it. This is due to their ignorance; they think that this is prescribed. Yes.