There is one of the American military bases in Saudi Arabia, they are contracting with Americans, and in this base one of the individuals passed away, and at the time of the condolence, Americans came
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The questioner : Shaykh, in one of the military bases in Saudi Arabia, they are contracting with Americans. In this base, one of the individuals passed away, and at the time of the condolence, the Americans came saying: We want to go to offer condolences to the father of the deceased. Is this permissible?
The Shaykh : Yes, it is permissible to offer condolences to the bereaved, whether the one offering condolences is a Muslim or a disbeliever. However, gathering in the house to receive the condolence-givers is a religious innovation (bid'ah) that was not present in the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) or his Companions. Rather, the doors of those who have lost a family member are closed. And whoever finds them in the market or the mosque and sees that they are bereaved, he offers them condolences. This is because the purpose of offering condolences is not to congratulate; it is not a congratulation. The purpose of offering condolences is to strengthen a person in patience. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent back the messenger of his daughter, whom she had sent to inform him about her son who was on the verge of death. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent back the messenger and said to him:Sahih al-Bukhari 7377 And he did not go to offer her condolences until she insisted on her father that he attend, not for the sake of the condolence, but for the sake of attending this boy or child who was dying. And it was not known in the time of the Companions for the family of the deceased to gather to receive condolences from people. Rather, they would prepare food in the house of the deceased, and gathering for that, they considered to be wailing (niyaha), and wailing is among the major sins.
For the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed the wailer and the listener, and he said:Sahih Muslim 934 We seek refuge in Allah.
Therefore, we advise our Muslim brothers to refrain from doing such gatherings, which are not good for them, but rather are evil for them. Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes, it is permissible to offer condolences to the bereaved, whether the one offering condolences is a Muslim or a disbeliever. However, gathering in the house to receive the condolence-givers is a religious innovation (bid'ah) that was not present in the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) or his Companions. Rather, the doors of those who have lost a family member are closed. And whoever finds them in the market or the mosque and sees that they are bereaved, he offers them condolences. This is because the purpose of offering condolences is not to congratulate; it is not a congratulation. The purpose of offering condolences is to strengthen a person in patience. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent back the messenger of his daughter, whom she had sent to inform him about her son who was on the verge of death. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent back the messenger and said to him:
So order her to be patient and hope for Allah's reward.
مرها فلتصبر ولتحتسب فإن لله ما أخذ وله ما أعطى وكل شيء عنده بأجل مسمىFor the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed the wailer and the listener, and he said:
If the wailing woman does not repent before she dies, she will be made to stand on the Day of Resurrection wearing a garment of pitch and a chemise of mange.
النائحة إذا لم تتب تقام يوم القيامة وعليها سربال من قطران ودرع من جربTherefore, we advise our Muslim brothers to refrain from doing such gatherings, which are not good for them, but rather are evil for them. Yes.