In the case of condolence, al-Fatihah is recited, and it is said to the one being consoled: "Blessings upon you." Is this practice correct, and what is said during condolence?

Question:
May Allah reward you with good and do you good. He says: Honorable Shaykh, in our place, in the case of condolence, al-Fatihah is recited, and the one offering condolences says to the one being consoled, "Blessings upon you." Is this practice correct? And what are the words that are said in condolence? May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
Al-Fatihah is not recited in condolence; it is a bid'ah (religious innovation). That is, reciting al-Fatihah in condolence or for the soul of the deceased is among the innovations for which Allah has sent down no authority. Rather, in condolence, one should say: "May Allah improve your consolation, may Allah console you for your loss, and may Allah forgive your deceased." This is the wording of condolence: "May Allah improve your consolation, may Allah console you for your loss, and may Allah forgive your deceased." This is the transmitted wording of condolence. As for reciting al-Fatihah, there is no basis for it, so it is a bid'ah.