In our Sudan, people gather in the *sivan* at the deceased's house, and those who wish to offer condolences visit them. Is it permissible to give a sermon in this situation?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : Regarding the *ma'athim* in our Sudan, people gather in the *sivan* and those who wish to offer condolences visit them. Is it also permissible to give a sermon in this situation?
The Shaykh : These *ma'athim* that the family of the deceased performs after his death are among the religious innovations that were not known in the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions. They contain harms in that those who gather may engage in wailing and lamentation, and lamentation is among the reprehensible matters, indeed it is among the major sins, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:.
For this reason, the scholars disliked the family gathering to receive the condolence visitors so that such harms might not occur. What should be done in this situation is to leave matters as they are without change. If one meets the bereaved, he should offer his condolences to him in the market, in the mosque, or in any other place. As for people preparing themselves and getting ready in their homes to receive the condolence visitors, this is something that should not be done, and some of the scholars have explicitly stated that it is disliked.
The Shaykh : These *ma'athim* that the family of the deceased performs after his death are among the religious innovations that were not known in the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions. They contain harms in that those who gather may engage in wailing and lamentation, and lamentation is among the reprehensible matters, indeed it is among the major sins, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed the wailer and the listener.
لعن النائحة والمستمعةFor this reason, the scholars disliked the family gathering to receive the condolence visitors so that such harms might not occur. What should be done in this situation is to leave matters as they are without change. If one meets the bereaved, he should offer his condolences to him in the market, in the mosque, or in any other place. As for people preparing themselves and getting ready in their homes to receive the condolence visitors, this is something that should not be done, and some of the scholars have explicitly stated that it is disliked.