What is the ruling on gathering in the deceased's house to wait for people to offer condolences?
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The questioner : Peace be upon you, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
The questioner : Some people now, after the death of the deceased, gather in the house and wait for those who come to offer condolences. Is this correct, or is there something wrong with it?
The Shaykh : This is not correct; this is a religious innovation (bid'ah). The righteous predecessors (Salaf) did not do this. The righteous predecessors did not do this; rather, one would stay in his house with his door closed. If he went out and found someone in the market, he would offer him condolences. Condolences are not a celebration that people rush to, go to, and stay up all night for. Condolences are about comforting and strengthening. If you see the bereaved person, sit with him, or speak to him while you are in the market, and say: "Be patient and seek reward. To Allah belongs what He takes and what He gives, and everything with Him is by a specified term." Just make him feel at ease. The purpose of condolences is not that you come to console and keep him company as if you were on a picnic. This action, in reality, causes people to forget the Hereafter, forget the reward, and forget the recompense. Therefore, you find those who offer condolences coming just to cry, and you do not find in them a sense that this is from Allah, that a person is rewarded for patience, and the like. They come only to keep their companion company.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
The questioner : Some people now, after the death of the deceased, gather in the house and wait for those who come to offer condolences. Is this correct, or is there something wrong with it?
The Shaykh : This is not correct; this is a religious innovation (bid'ah). The righteous predecessors (Salaf) did not do this. The righteous predecessors did not do this; rather, one would stay in his house with his door closed. If he went out and found someone in the market, he would offer him condolences. Condolences are not a celebration that people rush to, go to, and stay up all night for. Condolences are about comforting and strengthening. If you see the bereaved person, sit with him, or speak to him while you are in the market, and say: "Be patient and seek reward. To Allah belongs what He takes and what He gives, and everything with Him is by a specified term." Just make him feel at ease. The purpose of condolences is not that you come to console and keep him company as if you were on a picnic. This action, in reality, causes people to forget the Hereafter, forget the reward, and forget the recompense. Therefore, you find those who offer condolences coming just to cry, and you do not find in them a sense that this is from Allah, that a person is rewarded for patience, and the like. They come only to keep their companion company.