The Rule for Offering Condolences to the Bereaved and the Errors in Condolence
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
This questioner asks: What is the legal criterion for offering condolences to the family of the deceased, especially since we observe some errors in condolences, such as holding feasts and the like?
Answer:
Offering condolences to the family of the deceased is recommended, as it is a form of consolation for them. One says to them, “May Allah improve your consolation and mend your loss. May Allah forgive your deceased.” This may be done wherever one finds them, whether in the mosque, the street, the shop, the office, or anywhere else. There is no need for a gathering, nor is there any need to prepare food, except if the family of the deceased are preoccupied with themselves and do not prepare food for themselves. In that case, it is recommended to prepare food for them, sufficient for their needs, and send it to them. Yes.
This questioner asks: What is the legal criterion for offering condolences to the family of the deceased, especially since we observe some errors in condolences, such as holding feasts and the like?
Answer:
Offering condolences to the family of the deceased is recommended, as it is a form of consolation for them. One says to them, “May Allah improve your consolation and mend your loss. May Allah forgive your deceased.” This may be done wherever one finds them, whether in the mosque, the street, the shop, the office, or anywhere else. There is no need for a gathering, nor is there any need to prepare food, except if the family of the deceased are preoccupied with themselves and do not prepare food for themselves. In that case, it is recommended to prepare food for them, sufficient for their needs, and send it to them. Yes.
Source
نور على الدرب - الفوزان - 03/195 — archive.org (6:58)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.