Rulings on Condolences and Their Extent

Question:
A question is asked regarding the brother Abdul Rahman al-Dahim from Harimla about condolences. Does it have a set number of days? When are condolences offered? Is it after the burial, or upon hearing the news of the death?

Answer:
Condolences are supplication; condolences are supplication for the living and for the deceased. You say, “May Allah improve your consolation, may Allah compensate you for your loss, and may Allah forgive your deceased,” in any place, in the mosque, in the street, or in the cemetery; there is nothing wrong with that. There are no procedures for condolences, such as preparing a place, laying out carpets, and arranging chairs, which causes trouble for the family of the deceased in serving and receiving guests. This has no basis. Likewise, one should not prepare a large amount of food; rather, food is prepared specifically for the family of the deceased. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, when Ja'far ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) was martyred, to the wives of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him): to the extent of the family of the deceased's need. Some of the Companions said, “We used to consider gathering at the house of the deceased and preparing food to be a form of wailing.” These exaggerations are not permissible; they burden people and disrupt their work, and there is no evidence for them in the Book or the Sunnah. Yes.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you.