What is the ruling on the practice of the fortieth day for the deceased, in which the Qur'an is recited and people gather to offer condolences?
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The questioner : What is the ruling on the practice of the fortieth day for the deceased, in which the Qur'an is recited and people gather to offer condolences?
The Shaykh : This is one of the religious innovations that some people perform when the deceased has completed forty days. They hold a mourning ceremony where they gather at the deceased's house, recite the Qur'an, and light up the place. In reality, this falls under the category of renewing grief, which has been prohibited. Likewise, we say that the gathering of people after the death in a house where they recite the Qur'an, light candles and lamps, and arrange chairs is all part of these religious innovations.
The Sunnah for one who has lost a relative is to close his door and not sit with anyone. However, there is no blame on his relatives whose absence from his house would be considered severing family ties if they come to the house, offer condolences to the bereaved, and then leave. As for holding feasts, which are in reality mourning ceremonies and also sins, this is among the religious innovations and abominations that it is not befitting for a Muslim to do.
The righteous predecessors considered preparing food and gathering at the deceased's house to be a form of wailing. This issue, which I mean the gathering of the deceased's relatives in his house in the manner I mentioned, exists in many Islamic countries. However, I hope in Allah the Exalted and Majestic, by the awakening He has granted to the youth, that the coming generation will put an end to these customs that were not among the customs of the Salaf.
The questioner : May Allah bless you, O honorable Shaykh.
The Shaykh : This is one of the religious innovations that some people perform when the deceased has completed forty days. They hold a mourning ceremony where they gather at the deceased's house, recite the Qur'an, and light up the place. In reality, this falls under the category of renewing grief, which has been prohibited. Likewise, we say that the gathering of people after the death in a house where they recite the Qur'an, light candles and lamps, and arrange chairs is all part of these religious innovations.
The Sunnah for one who has lost a relative is to close his door and not sit with anyone. However, there is no blame on his relatives whose absence from his house would be considered severing family ties if they come to the house, offer condolences to the bereaved, and then leave. As for holding feasts, which are in reality mourning ceremonies and also sins, this is among the religious innovations and abominations that it is not befitting for a Muslim to do.
The righteous predecessors considered preparing food and gathering at the deceased's house to be a form of wailing. This issue, which I mean the gathering of the deceased's relatives in his house in the manner I mentioned, exists in many Islamic countries. However, I hope in Allah the Exalted and Majestic, by the awakening He has granted to the youth, that the coming generation will put an end to these customs that were not among the customs of the Salaf.
The questioner : May Allah bless you, O honorable Shaykh.