The Ruling on Crying for the Deceased

Question:
This questioner, Wafa al-'Ali, says that she follows the program and prays for you, O Shaykh. She has a set of questions and asks about crying for the deceased: is it a recommended practice?

Answer:
Crying for the deceased is permissible; because it is mercy. So if one cries, there is no blame on him. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) cried when his son Ibrahim passed away. He (peace and blessings be upon him) cried and said: "The eye sheds tears and the heart grieves, but we do not say except what pleases the Lord" So crying does no harm; rather, what causes harm is wailing and the actions of the pre-Islamic age of ignorance, striking the cheeks, tearing the clothes, and wailing over the deceased. This is forbidden, a major one of the major sins. As for crying, it is mercy, so there is no blame in it regarding the deceased. Yes.